PLANS for Troon FC to become full members of the Scottish FA have been given a major boost after council bosses approved development plans for the club's home ground.

The green light from South Ayrshire Council officials means Troon will be able to erect floodlights at their Portland Park home - a major stepping stone towards becoming a full SFA member club.

Full membership of the game's governing body in Scotland - something the club says it hopes to achieve before the start of the 2023-24 season would enable the Seasiders to compete in the senior Scottish Cup.

Also included in the plans are a multi-use games area and extended car parking facilities.

The games facility would see a 3G astroturf surface installed where the current worn grass park is situated, behind the first team park.

It's a move The Seasiders hope will bring Portland Park "right into the 21st century".

The club have also created a 'fly through' video which shows a computer-generated impression of what the improvements may look like once completed.

Portland Park had floodlights installed in the mid-1990s but they were taken down after being damaged in 2007.

The new floodlight pylons will be 18 metres tall and have been described by the club as a "game changer".

A club spokesperson said: "We have the perfect opportunity to future proof our club with this news which will give us a real boost right through the club and the Troon FC Youth Academy.

"The real hard work begins now as we engage with contractors to schedule works, but everyone at the club owes a huge vote of thanks to chairman Jim Kirkwood, who has worked tirelessly to make this idea become a reality.

"Keep your eyes peeled as the developments progress, but it’s an exciting time to be a Troon FC supporter!"

The club had previously submitted and then withdrawn a similar planning application for the ground.

An amended application was lodged in April and validated in May before receiving approval on July 15.

No objections were received by any members of the public or by statutory consultees.

The full approved application can be viewed here.