Scottish football club Celtic has been granted planning permission in principle for a hotel and museum complex to be built adjacent to the 47-time Scottish Premier League (SPL) champions’ home ground in Glasgow.

First revealed in February, the £18m (US$24m, €20m) plans, which were submitted to Glasgow City Council for approval, also include a new ticket office and retail store, with the development to come up outside the main stand of Celtic Park.

Approving the plans with no objections, the council said that work must start no later than October 2020.

According to Celtic, the development would create up to 120 jobs, also providing an economic boost to the area while reducing congestion around the stadium.

"We are very pleased that initial planning permission has been granted. Clearly, there is still considerable work to be done in bringing such an ambitious project to fruition, however, we will now engage with other relevant parties to assess this potential development,” said a statement from the club.

"Provision of a club museum and improved shop/ticketing facilities as proposed will greatly enhance the visitor experience and will help to sustain jobs and economic activity throughout the year.

“A hotel along with the club facilities will increase the attractiveness of the location as a tourist destination with spin-off benefits to the entire area.”

Celtic’s 2009 masterplan by GD Lodge Architects and McInally Associates details housing, retail, leisure, office, civic and public realm developments. The current plans are part of that wider scheme, which is integrated into the city’s regeneration strategy.