It’s phew moment for Southend United F.C.!

Article posted by Coliseum, January 19^th, 2022

Image: Southend United FC & Populous

A new stadium for the National League team Southend United F.C. (UK) has cleared a major hurdle after it was confirmed the plans would not face a planning inquiry.

The ‘BBC’ stated that plans for a 21,000 ground at Fossetts Farm were first submitted in 2017.

The club’s long-held ambition is to relocate to a new purpose-built stadium at Fossetts Farm in Southend-on-Sea (UK), which will provide the improved capacity and caliber of player and spectator facilities required for Southend United F.C. to usher in a new era of success, both on and off the pitch.

The Southend United Football Club is a professional association football club based in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (UK). As of the 2021-2022 seasons, the team competes in the National League, the fifth tier of English football.

The Roots Hall Football Stadium is a football stadium located in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, England (UK). The stadium is the home ground of the Vanarama National League Southend United. With a capacity of 12,392, Roots Hall is the largest football stadium in Essex, and is the current venue for the final of the Essex Senior Cup.

The ‘BBC’ further stated that further planning applications will be needed though, meaning work would not start on the stadium immediately, the Southend Borough Council informed.

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, Michael Gove, said the plans would not be called in.

The Southend Borough Councilor Carole Mulroney, who is responsible for Environment, Culture, Tourism, and Planning, said the news was a vital step – “The legal agreements are to be concluded. Permission won’t be issued until that is finalized. They will have to submit detailed planning applications for certain aspects of the scheme so we shouldn’t expect spades in the ground just yet but it is good news.”

The new stadium will include a 107 bed hotel, 1,461 homes, a club shop, restaurant, and conference space.

The club’s current home at Roots Hall will be redeveloped into 502 new homes for rent once it has relocated.

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