Southend United has submitted plans for a new 22,000 capacity stadium with an enabling hotel and flats scheme.

The club has now confirmed it hopes to start work on the project as soon as it obtains planning.

The new ground, designed by architect Populous, will be built at Fossetts Farm to replace the Roots Hall stadium.  Previously McLaren and Bowmer & Kirkland had been in talks with the club about delivering an earlier version of the project back in 2011.

In a statement the club said: “This submission represents a major step in the future of Southend United Football Club and we now look forward to learning the decision of the council in the coming months.

“Should the council approve the submitted plans it would be the club’s intention to commence construction without delay.”

A new stadium has been in the offing for 15 years, but plans have foundered several times. The last scheme in 2008 stalled as Sainsbury’s, which was backing the club, suffered setbacks.

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