A Medway boxing club will finally have its own permanent home after plans for a purpose built gym were approved.

St Mary’s Amateur Boxing Club, where former world champion Johnny Armour, heavyweight Tom Dallas and referee Ian John-Lewis all began their careers, has been campaigning for a new base since 2011 when the building it used in Street End Road, Chatham, was sold at auction.

A fundraising drive, plus a £50,000 grant from Sport England, saw them purchase land in Shipwrights Avenue, Luton.

Last night the planning committee approved plans for the two-storey gym which backs on to Millennium Green.

Ward councillor Tristan Osborne said: “It’s a historic club with long standing links to Luton area. The benefits to young people are insurmountable.”

The club plans to outreach to local schools and aims to become a centre for sporting excellence. It is in talks with mhs homes to address concerns about parking.