SOUTHEND United have radically reduced the number of flats and shopping space planned for the new 22,000-seater stadium site at Fossetts Farm.

The club are now asking to build 67 flats instead of 127, have reduced the amount of retail floorspace from 22,855 sq m to 16,400 sq m and the number of parking spaces from 590 to 499.

The plans have been revised in an effort to answer criticisms from those worried the new shopping area will hit town centre trade.

The original proposals have already been approved by Southend and Rochford District councils, but are to be the subject of a public inquiry - a move prompted by the Government because the scheme is partly in the green belt.

Southend United chairman Ron Martin told the Echo: "When the application was approved by Southend Council in January, we were asked to consider the proximity of the apartments to the stadium and that is one of the main things we've done.

"We have reduced the number of homes, but increased the size of some to meet market conditions.

"There has been an overall reduction in the footprint of the retail units to accommodate the concerns raised. This has all been discussed for eight months and is really what I would call a slight finessing of the scheme to address members' concerns.

"I'm still very excited about it and am looking forward to the beginning of the public inquiry."

The inquiry starts at the end of next month.

A major worry when the scheme was discussed by Southend Council was the size of the shopping space.

David Garston, Southend council responsible for culture, welcomed the revised application.

He said: "This is good news, as it means there will be much less impact on the town centre.

"The council is very supportive of Southend United and is keen to see the new stadium become a reality.

"However, the amount of retail development and housing was the bitter pill we had to swallow to see the stadium."

Anna Waite, councillor responsible for planning, said the plans were still being examined by officers, but agreed the smaller retail area was welcome.

She added: "The club is also giving a guarantee that 20 per cent of shops will be for bulky goods' which I think makes sense.

"Out-of-town areas are often more convenient for buying something like a settee of a fridge, while town centres are the place for day-to-day shopping."