SWINDON Robins co-owner Terry Russell has breathed a huge sigh of relief after plans for a new speedway stadium at Blunsdon were finally approved, admitting "we could have been left homeless".

Councillors voted in favour of the scheme at a planning meeting on Tuesday night, ending months of uncertainty over the Robins future, and Russell, pictured right, was understandably thrilled with the outcome.

"We want to say a big thank you to the council for finally listening to our pleas," Russell told the Swindon Advertiser.

"Without this new stadium we could have been left without a home.

"At the Abbey Stadium we only had a year-on-year lease, and there's always the danger that might not get renewed. If that happens you are left in big trouble.

"With the new stadium we have been promised a much longer lease. We are obviously delighted with the council's decision."

In 2006, the developers behind the new stadium, Gaming International, threatened the future of the Robins at the Abbey Stadium when their plans failed to include a speedway track.

However, after an Adver-backed campaign, the company made a U-turn and included both a speedway and greyhound track in their plans.

Russell now hopes to be housed at the new venue, which also includes plans for 450 houses and 16,000 square metres of office space, by the start of 2010 season.

He said: "At one point the plans that went in did not include speedway at all.

"But we kicked up a stink and pressure was put on by the speedway public and eventually the plans were altered.

"The fans deserve a big thank you for the way they have campaigned for this stadium.

"There were some concerns about parking and being a football fan I know all about that, but I'm sure we cab make this scheme work."

Russell conceded some supporters were not in favour of a move from the Abbey Stadium, which has been the Robins' nest since 1949.

But he insists a new stadium is the only way to secure the club's long term future, and keep speedway in Swindon for the people that matter - the fans.

He said: "Some of them may be unhappy about leaving the old stadium behind but without this move there is no long term future for the club.

"There's a lot of emotions attached to the Abbey but it's old, tired and tatty now and you can't keep repairing it.

"I can't think of any other new stadiums being built to house speedway in this country.

"This is not just good for Swindon but it is good for the sport as a whole."

Plans to form a working committee, headed by stadium owners Gaming International, are now underway.

For the scheme to move from blueprint to building stage, the plans must now win approval from the office of the deputy prime minister.