Plans for the development of a new permanent competition-standard ice rink in Bournemouth, have received the green light from planning officials.

Bournemouth Borough Council's (BBC) planning board has approved the project, which has been proposed by the local authority and is poised to include other leisure facilities. However, the King's Park ice stadium plans remains subject to the backing of the Highways Agency, which has asked for further details relating to the project's transport assessment.

The Sutton Griffin Architects-designed ice facility will include an Olympic-sized ice pad for recreational skating, ice dance, curling and ice hockey, with seating for up to 2,500 spectators. It is anticipated the planned venue could also host basketball, while a climbing wall and a standing surf wave are mooted in a bid to ensure the venue is commercially viable.

A floodlit multi-use games area and synthetic turf pitch - able to accommodate six five-a-side football pitches - will feature as part of the external facilities under the plans. BBC deputy leader John Beesley said: "The Highways Agency has already studied the Transport Assessment, and has requested some additional information from us which we will be submitting to them shortly.

"Subject to their approval of the application we will press ahead with the next phase of the project to secure a private sector operator to fund, build and manage the facility."