The new stadium will include a hotel and a gym

The new site, at the old Shaw Tip, will mean that some of the trees planted as part of the Great Western Forest will have to be removed.

The plan is to create a multi-facility sports village that will benefit the whole community.

The club's current stadium, the County Ground, is owned by Swindon Borough Council and rented by the club.

Extra revenue

Previous plans for a stadium in Swindon's Front Garden fell through three years ago because the club failed to secure the finances.

The current ground is owned by the town council.

The new stadium will include a hotel and a gym which would add to the club's revenues.

It will be built by developers St Modwen, the company which built Stoke City's Britannia Stadium.

If the club is successful in gaining planning permission from Swindon Borough Council quickly, the stadium could be in use by the 2007/2008 season.