Fossetts Farm housing deal signed off by council

The Fossetts Farm development will raise about £20m to help Southend United improve their stadium

A housing development deal that will finance the redevelopment of a National League club's stadium has been signed off.

Southend-on-Sea City Council agreed that 805 homes could be built at Fossetts Farm, which would ultimately release £20m for the city football club to regenerate its historic Roots Hall stadium.

Earlier this year, a previous deal to build 1,300 homes in apartment blocks failed to pass due diligence over fears the plans were not financially viable.

The new deal will also undergo the due diligence process and a new planning application will need to be submitted to the council.

Speaking at a cabinet meeting on Thursday, Daniel Cowan, the Labour leader of the council, said agreement over a plan for the Fossetts Farm site had been "a very long time coming".

As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, he said: "This will deliver much needed low-rise family housing. The other benefit is that it unlocks potential for the football club."

A consortium led by Australian businessman Justin Rees completed a takeover of the club this summer after a deal with former owner Ron Martin was agreed.

Mr Martin had previously hoped to relocate the Shrimpers to Fossetts Farm, but consortium Custodians of Southend United (COSU) previously confirmed the club would remain at Roots Hall, their home since 1955.

The council said the housing scheme would have no less than 20.75% affordable homes, compared with the previous scheme which had only 13%.

Cowan said: "Without this deal the club may not exist and this is an opportunity for the city and the club to move forward in a positive way."

Citizen Housing is the developer behind the scheme, which is fronted by Mr Martin's son - Jack Martin - and COSU.