A PLAN to build hundreds of new flats on Southend United’s Roots Hall stadium has finally been revealed.

Club chairman Ron Martin is also hoping for news on the application for the 21,000-seat stadium and entertainment complex at Fossetts Farm in October.

And Southend United FC’s chairman is hopeful progress on plans for Roots Hall can be made at the same meeting after initial plans for the 504 homes were submitted to Southend Council asking for a “screening opinion”.

The process is to decide what level of detail will be needed in a full application - such as whether an environmental impact assessment is required.

The aim is to build two blocks of flats between four and eight storeys high with 502 parking spaces and access from Fairfax Drive and Roots Hall Avenue.

Mr Martin said: “I don’t think it warrants an environmental statement and we do not foresee any environmental issues.

“It is a positive step forward in the right direction and it should accelerate the council’s consideration of the club’s long term plans.

“This is important as consent for Roots Hall is very much a top priority in our critical pathway.

“We hope it makes the October committee meeting and the club are working very closely with the council and is confident of a positive result.”

Consultation events have taken place this month, with the club insisting feedback was positive, and a full planning application will be submitted once consultation responses have been analysed and the council’s development committee has provided guidance on this initial application.

Ron Martin also confirmed he is expecting the Eastern Avenue Fossetts Farm plans to be discussed by the council during October’s development control committee - more than two years after the original deadline.

Southend Council previously insisted delays in a decision on Fossetts Farm were due to more details being required which is why repeated extensions have been requested delaying a decision on the club’s future.