SOUTHEND United today won support from a Government inspector for its new
stadium at Fossetts Farm.

A Government planning inspector told the ministers there was no objection to the
plan for Fossetts Farm.

Blues chairman Ron Martin described the decision as "pivotal moment" in the
club's history.

He said in a statement: "It is with an enormous pleasure that I am able to
confirm that the decision issued by the Secretary of State approved the club's
new stadium plans.

"This is without doubt a pivotal moment in Southend United Football Club's
history.

"I wish to thank all the club's supporters for their contribution and once the
final points of the decision notice have been considered we will waste no time
in commencing construction."

Southend United won support from the inspector to build: * A 22,000 seater
football stadium including a 114 bedroom hotel, conference area.

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* Players' hostel, food and drink concessions, bars and other facilities all
contained within the stadium

* Sixty-seven flats with basement parking spaces

* New shops

* A restaurant and health club

Theo Steel, chairman of Renaissance Southend commented: "Renaissance Southend
has always recognised that for the residents of Southend, Fossetts Farm is the
best location for a new football stadium and we will work with the Council and
the Club's owners to ensure the development of the accompanying retail space is
completed quickly, with minimal impact on plans for the town centre.

"To this end the planning obligation to provide £6m towards town centre
regeneration will be an important contribution towards planned improvements in
Central Southend'.

He added: "Assuming the outstanding issues can be resolved, a final decision in
May will enable the relocation of Sainsburys' main store from London Road to
Roots Hall to move forward with greater certainty, and ultimately release one of
the major sites identified in the Central Area Masterplan for redevelopment by
2011."

Councillor Nigel Holdcroft, leader of Southend Council said: "This is great news
for both the football club and the town itself. This new stadium will not only
benefit the football team but will also have a major impact on the regeneration
of Southend."

Anna Waite, councillor responsible for planning, added: "The Council's
Development Control Committee agreed that planning permission should be granted
for the new stadium but it had to be referred to the Secretary of State as it
was a Departure from Policy. The new stadium will play such a key role in
helping us to continue to revitalize the town. I'm delighted that we can now
move forwards to ensure that Southend as a whole benefits."

Hazel Blears, Communities and Local Government Secretary, said in the report
published today she is is minded to approve the proposals.

However, she is concerned about two planning issues regarding affordable housing
and the ownership of a strip of land likely to form part of the major access
road.

She has told the club and the council,together with other interested parties to
resolve these issues as soon as possible so a final decision can be made on or
before May 27.

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