PLANS for a new 22,000-capacity Southend United stadium are finally set to be heard this month.

On Monday, October 25, Southend’s development control committee will review the application, which includes 1,450 homes - more than four years after initial plans were first submitted.

The news comes after fans protesting over chairman Ron Martin’s running of the club invaded the pitch and stopped play at Roots Hall during Saturday’s 4-0 defeat to Chesterfield. Manager Phil Brown and his assistant Craig Fagan were sacked after the match.

The council is still operating social distancing rules, so seating in the public gallery will be minimal. A forum area outside the chamber where people will be able to hear councillors’ discussions is set to be opened. The meeting will also be webcast.

Carole Mulroney, councillor responsible for environment, culture, tourism & planning, said: “The council chamber is the biggest space we have got. The public gallery runs around the top but if we get inundated with people, there will be difficulties.

“Outside the council chamber there is an open area with a sound system from the chamber. In normal circumstances planning applications bore everyone to death, but this is such a big one for the town.”

No banners or demonstrations will be allowed within the centre. Ms Mulroney added: “People are disgruntled about how the club is doing at the moment, but the process has to go through committee and we can’t defer it because we have a crowd of angry people.

“This has been going on for such a long time and dividing the town for various reasons. Everyone is quite relieved to get to this stage.”

The council will partner with developers to build 800 homes at the stadium which will be let for affordable rents.

The club’s current home at Roots Hall will be redeveloped into 502 new homes for rent, also under an agreement with the council, once the club has relocated to the new stadium at Fossetts Farm. The meeting will take place at 6pm.