Southend United chairman Ron Martin has said the club is now in position to make the new stadium dream a reality - at last.

The long-held plans have been plagued by delays, but the club this week announced two public events to outline plans for 504 homes on the Roots Hall Stadium site, in Victoria Avenue.

Echo:

Optimistic - Ron Martin

And Mr Martin said almost a third of the homes would be affordable.

The club boss said: “The club has been working closely with the council over an extended period to regenerate the Roots Hall site for an architecturally designed residential development of some 500 homes.

“The scheme is fully compliant in providing 30 per cent affordable accommodation and represents a true mixed tenure development to meet the housing needs of the community.

“The development of Roots Hall is a key part of the club’s plans enabling development to fulfil its long-held objective to relocate to a new stadium at Fossetts Farm.

Mr Martin added: “Following the public consultation and proper consideration of the responses, it is the club’s intention to submit a detailed planning application in September.”

The development would allow a new 21,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm to get off the ground.

Ron Woodley, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “Personally I would now welcome the redevelopment. I think if we get the situation right, Fossetts Farm development shouldn’t have an impact on Southend High Street. I think it could actually add to the high street. Creating more housing is one of our key priorities and I look forward to seeing this development and I think the 1,500 families on our housing waiting list will also look forward to it.”

The exhibitions will take place on Saturday between 9.30am and 12.30pm and on Wednesday from 6pm to 9pm. Anyone who can’t attend can view it on the PowerHause Consultancy website from Saturday until August 26.

See powerhauseconsultancy.co.uk