Cleadon Village Association has decided to back the club's application for an indoor training facility at the Academy of Light, which lies just outside the village on Sunderland Road.

The Black Cats need the building to retain academy status and ensure training for youngsters is not restricted during dark nights and bad weather.

Previous plans for the site were met with huge opposition before they were eventually thrown out by South Tyneside Council in 2002.

Campaigners were horrified by the idea of further building on green belt land to create an indoor training barn, 52-bed hostel,
groundsman's store, nature study centre and an 8ft perimeter fence.

But the latest application is for the indoor training facility only, and its height is considerably lower than the original.

Brian Bage, secretary of Cleadon Village Association, said: "We decided to back the application at a meeting on Monday. It was a unanimous decision by the executive committee.

"In principle, we couldn't see anything wrong with it. It is lower than the last time, and will be built below ground.

"It is also for the young players, some of whom we have seen on the television and in the flesh, and they need that facility.

"The club is doing a lot for the youth in Sunderland. No one raised any objection at all."

Since the original plans were rejected, the club has used Crowtree Leisure Centre in Sunderland and other indoor facilities across the region.

But they are far from ideal, in terms of the type and size of training areas provided, and the lack of on-site facilities, such as medical provision.

SAFC chief executive Steve Walton said the club has listened very carefully to the objections from last time and has also sought views of planners.

The application has been submitted to South Tyneside Council and will be considered by the planning committee in due course.