About 150 Southend fans went wild after Rochford district councillors sensationally approved the training facilities to go with the 22,000-seat stadium.

Councillors could hear every cheer and boo in the chamber as the debate was taking place and the biggest cheer of the nightwas reserved for the announcement that the application had been approved by 24 votes to eight.

Fans had packed out the Civic Suite car park by 7pm, with traffic around Rayleigh in virtual gridlock.

As the debate went on, there was audible tension inside and outside the chamber as the speakers for and against were fairly even in number.

The fans' victory was greeted with songs of delight with the quiet streets of Rayleigh serenaded with favourites such as Blue Army and One Ron Martin.

Simon Adams, 25, from Merryfields Avenue, Hockley, said: "It's superb for the town for the district of Rochford and for the whole of south Essex.

"It's going to be great for the economy and it will give the whole area a real lift."

Jackie Smith, 45, from Eastwood, said: "I've been going to Roots Hall since I was eight years old and I've got grown-up children who go as well, so we all go as a family.

"There are so many memories but we've got to move on and this will give something back to the borough."

Some fans praised the words of councillor Heather Glynn, who gave a rousing speech in favour of the development early on in the debate.

James Hysen, 18, from Ashingdon Road, Rochford, said: "I thought Mrs Glynn's speech set the tone and egged a couple of the other councillors on.

It was great to hear and it was really inspiring."

Thomas Cochrane, 19, from Stonehill Road, Southend, added: "I've been here since 7pm, and it's freezing but it's worth it. This is brilliant news for Southend and for Rochford."

Heather is toast of the Blues

Rochford district councillor Heather Glynn was the toast of Southend United when she proposed agreement of the club's plans for training pitches and a car park.

The noise of cheering crowds outside could be heard in the council chamber when the Hawkwell Tory member said she believed the plan was important for the benefit of everyone in Southend and Rochford.

Mrs Glynn said the scheme would not only be a facility for young people for the next 50 years, but it would also create a buffer zone between development in Rochford and Southend.

She was supported by Keith Hudson (Con, Hockley), deputy leader of the council, who said: "It is an important facility which we should support.

"But we have to ensure that the car park and training pitches will be provided at the same time as the stadium itself so we do not find there is just a car park without a stadium."

Tony Humphries (Con, Rayleigh) said he had great difficulty in accepting the planning officers' grounds for refusing the scheme.

He said: "At our own Cherry Orchard Countryside Park in Rochford, we are talking about car parking and other facilities for visitors, so how can we turn this down?

"I will support it, provided there are conditions to ensure the club fulfils all their obligations."

Jeremy Thomass (Con, Hockley) said he had planned to oppose the plan, but having considered them during the meeting, he felt there was much in its favour.

Mavis Webster (Con, Wheatley) said she had big concerns about the archaeology of the site, as there had already been important finds in the area, such as an Iron Age fort.

She added: "I will oppose this because I am worried that if you accept a car park here, then what else will you agree in the green belt?"

Richard Amner (Con, Sutton) said: "Sutton may be a very small parish, but I feel we should consider the concerns of the residents about how their way of life and their environment will be affected if we approve this plan."