Proposals to build a training centre for the Welsh national rugby and football teams in the Vale of Glamorgan have been approved.

The scheme is the result of a partnership between The Vale Hotel, Golf and Spa Resort – where the facility will be built – and the Football Association of Wales, the Welsh Rugby Union, Cardiff City and the Cardiff Blues.

The £10m, 40-acre development will feature six international-standard training pitches for soccer and rugby (including an artificial grass pitch); a six-lane, 400m running track; two 100m sprint tracks and 30,000sq ft (2,770sq m), two-storey pavilion with changing, treatment, meeting, relaxation and catering facilities for each of the four organisations.

Stephen Leeke, managing director of The Vale Resort, said: “The Hensol Castle Elite Sports Academy will give Wales’ two major sports a superb platform to compete internationally in the 21st century.

“Rugby and football will have a secure, world-class training facility away from the spotlight, yet only 15 minutes from the centre of Cardiff.”

Welsh Rugby Union chief executive, Roger Lewis, added: “This facility will come on-stream three years ahead of the 2011 Rugby World Cup, giving us time to prepare and groom a squad for the toughest playing environment they’ll ever face.”