DULWICH HAMLET secured its “home and future in East Dulwich for the next 125 years” in the late hours of Monday night, when a council planning committee approved plans for its new stadium.

The south London club was locked out of its ground in 2018 during a dispute with landlords Meadow Residential, and their cause was taken up by local Labour MP Helen Hayes, then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and even Rio Ferdinand, among others.

Hundreds at a time watched the online Southwark Council meeting, which was the final stage before plans for a new development at Champion Hill — including a new stadium, pitch, housing, and leisure facilities — go to the mayor’s office for approval.

Council leader Peter John was among those speaking in opposition, with others deliberating over bats’ flight paths, blackberry bushes and tree girth as they assessed the potential ecological impact.

But Hamlet fans will soon be chanting committee leader Martin Seaton’s name, as he recommended the plan’s approval and gave a passionate defence of its enhancement of green space. The proposal eventually passed 5-2.

After a protracted dispute, the successful joint bid with the ground’s owners will come as a major source of relief for the club.

In a statement, it said it was “delighted” to announce that the application was approved.

“The club would like to thank all members of the planning committee for their diligent assessment of the application and all the council officers who have worked so hard with the club to bring this development to fruition,” the club said.