SWINDON Town and the club's supporters will take ownership of the County Ground in a £2.3million deal.

After Swindon Borough Council's cabinet voted unanimously in favour of the proposal last week, the last step in the process was for the scrutiny committee to approve the deal.

That came at a meeting on Monday night, with the agreement again receiving cross-party support and unanimous approval. 

The parties will now finalise the legal documentation to complete the sale. 

The proposal is for a joint venture between the club and its supporters' trust to purchase the stadium for £2.3m.

The joint venture had previously tried to purchase the County Ground in 2019, but circumstances surrounding the then owner, Lee Power, and the club's subsequent ownership legal contest halted proceedings. 

Things then got back on track when Australian businessman Clem Morfuni seized the reins from Power in the summer.

Concerns were again raised by Labour councillors about the long-term safety of the club, and with questions over what power future owners of the club may have when it comes to the stadium.

The club and the fans will both have a 50 per cent stake in the ownership of the stadium - and a development plan that would see £22.5m spent on upgrading two stands and building a hotel and conference facility on the Town End over the next five years was revealed last week.

Council leader David Renard again expressed how pleased he was with the deal. 

He said: "These conversations started with the Trust probably about seven years ago, for various reasons it has been put on hold but we are here now. 

"We've now agreed a price which all parties are happy with, and once it is concluded it will be good for the club, the supporters, and the town as a whole, because there will be an opportunity for the joint venture to invest in the ground, something the council hasn't been able to do". 

Talking to the Adver ahead of the meeting, Swindon Town Football Club's chief executive Rob Angus said he was delighted that Swindon Borough Council voted to move forward with the sale of the ground. 

You can read his interview in full here. 

A press conference to formally announce the deal is expected this week.