Mumbles Community Council (MCC) received borrowing approval from the Welsh Government to progress the Go Underhill project.

MCC applied for a loan of £840,000 and approval was granted this morning.

The council will finalise the legal agreement with Mumbles Community Association (MCA) who will be driving the project forward to the building phase.

"This announcement represents another significant step toward Mumbles Community Council realising their ambitious plans in relation to significantly upgrading sports and leisure facilities in the area," said Chair of MCC, Cllr Dr Martin O'Neill commented.

"Working in close partnership with MCA, we will seek to ensure that Underhill Park will become a real asset for the people of Mumbles and surrounding areas and will provide facilities that we can all take pride in."

Simon Tse, Chair of Mumbles Community Association added: "This is thrilling news for Go Underhill as it means that the funding is in place for a large part of the planned development.

"As soon as all the legal agreements are in place, MCA will be ready to move forward into the building phase of the project, and we are delighted to have worked closely with MCC to achieve this result.

"We are grateful to all the Mumbles Community Councillors for their support, and their confidence in MCA's ability to deliver the transformation which will ensure Underhill Park is an asset for the whole community.

"There is work still to be done to fund all the elements the community want in the park, including the all-weather pitch. MCA Trustees and supporters are working hard to secure additional grants, donations and sponsorship to enable us to deliver these."

The next steps in the project include seeking approval for a non-material amendment to planning application, approval for SuDS (Sustainable Drainage System), and gaining building regulations approval.

A grant application has also been submitted to the Welsh Government's Community Facilities Programme which, if approved, will enable the additional two changing rooms to be built.

It is hoped that a decision will be received by the end of March.