STUNNING images of Ron Martin’s vision for the new Southend United stadium have been unveiled as the club boss submitted a scaled-back version of his grand plan for the newground. 

The application, which comes just days after Blues chairman Mr Martin announced his plan to sell the club, includes a host of new images showing a stadium ready to “compete to reach the Premier League”.

The slimmed down version of the plans - officially submitted to Southend Council this week - no longer include a hotel at the stadium, and the number of seats has been slashed from 22,000 to 16,226.

The changes had previously been announced by the club, but the fresh application confirms the slightly minimised plan.

Echo:

In a statement to the Echo, Ron Martin said: “The club’s recent planning application is identical to that which we submitted last year under a ‘Drop In’ application. 

“Following an unrelated Supreme Court decision surrounding ‘Drop In’ planning applications, in liaison with the council we jointly concluded the simpler route would be to submit a fresh application.

“Everything about the application, stadium and residential, remains precisely as was previously submitted.”

The Fossetts Farm application includes the demolition of the existing Southend United FC training centre, new football stadium with a capacity of up to 16,226 seats, corporate boxes, officers, ballroom, club offices, shop, cafes/restaurants, and concessions.

There is also a north stand residential comprising of224 units, fan plaza residential apartments of 72 units, with the ground floor sporting and community use, Fossetts Way north residential apartments of 42 units, and south of 51.

There is also set to be two “soccer domes”, one for community use, as well car parking spaces, and associated infrastructure.

In the application, bosses add that the current stadium is “outdated” and this will help the club achieve its “ambitions”.

Martin Terry, independent councillor responsible for public protection, praised the progress and insisted it should be “reassuring for fans”.  

Echo:

The Blues season ticket holder said: “I am glad to see that the plan has gone in, which is showing progress. I haven’t see the application in details, but I welcome progress on the football club which is a positive thing.” 

“The council’s number one priority is to retain a league football club in our city, so let’s hope we can get this through and up and running. 

“However, fans including myself, should be reassured that any planning permission that is given, that Roots Hall will be protected, and that there will be no activity on the site, until there is a new football ground at Fossetts.”