GLOUCESTERSHIRE will be able to host international cricket again after being given planning permission to redevelop the County Ground in Bristol.

Bristol City Council’s Development Control Committee gave the green light for a housing development on the site which will pay for new facilities to meet ECB standards.

The Mound and Jessop stands will be demolished to allow 7,500 new permanent seats to be installed and the work is due to start in September with England set to play India in a one-day international at the ground in 2014.

The plans also include a new-look pavilion, state-of-the-art media centre, business centre, improved community programme and an upgrade of cricketing facilities.

There were fears that the county would have to leave Nevil Road after playing there for 122 years when their original planning application was turned down in January, with Filton airfield and the Wagon Works in Gloucester discussed as possible destinations for a new home.

However, their preference has always been to stay put and they were given the green light after making some adjustments to the plans, which included the removal of a whole storey in the block of apartments.

Gloucestershire chief executive Tom Richardson said: “We are very pleased that the committee has come to this decision as it finally allows us to realise our ambitions in bringing the very best of what cricket can offer to our home city.

“We have many people to thank – it has been a long journey and a huge amount of hard work has gone into it, which in turn has been supported by residents across Bristol, including our local area of Bishopston.

“We can now look forward to making the next stage of our plans happen.”

Gloucestershire completed a great week by becoming the first team to beat County Championship Division Two leaders Derbyshire this season at Nevil Road.

It was perhaps fitting that home grown brothers Alex and Will Gidman played major roles in the seven-wicket win, completed in two-and-a-half days.

Will took eight wickets in the match, taking his overall tally this season to 31 victims at 18.96, while skipper Alex scored a fine century in Gloucestershire’s first innings before guiding them home in the second innings.

Derbyshire were bowled out for just 95 after deciding to bat first with Will Gidman taking 4-29 and Alex Gidman’s 129 gave Gloucestershire a commanding lead as they made 294.

Derbyshire fared better in the second innings but were skittled for 283 with Will Gidman (4-50) and David Payne (4-89) doing most of the damage.

Gloucestershire stuttered slightly in their reply when they were reduced to 63-3 but Alex Gidman (13*) and Hamish Marshall (12) saw them safely to their target of 85.

The result lifted them one place to sixth with their next County Championship game against Essex at the Cheltenham Festival in five weeks.

White ball cricket will occupy Gloucestershire until then and they will be looking to bounce back from their eight-wicket defeat at Essex on Monday when they visit Worcestershire on Sunday (1.45pm).

Kane Williamson scored 77 and Ian Cockbain smashed an unbeaten 52 off 44 balls to help Gloucestershire make 224-5, but 120 not out off 100 balls from England international Ravi Bopara helped Essex reach their target with 19 balls to spare.