The Club's plans for a new 22,000-seater stadium at Fossetts Farm will go before a Government planning inspector in September.

The proposals, which also include a 114-bedroom hotel, conference centre, flats and retail outlets, have already been approved Southend Council.

Meanwhile, Rochford council has also approved plans for new training facilities adjacent to the stadium site.

However, despite receiving the green light from both councils, Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly has called the application in for a Public Inquiry.

The hearing starts on September 25, at 10 and will be at the Civic Centre, Victoria Avenue, Southend. It is expected to last for 16 days.

"With a multimillion-pound scheme such as this, it is not unusual for it to be called in by the minister for a full examination," Blues chairman Ron Martin said.

"We are looking forward to the inquiry and know the club has a very robust planning case to put forward.

"Inquiries like these are part of the planning process in this country, and our estimate is that it will probably last only eight or nine days, rather than the 16 which are being suggested.

"This development is an extremely important one for the future, not only of the football club, but for the whole town of Southend."

Mr Martin also said if give the green light for the plans, he hoped to start working on the site as soon as possible.

He added: "We are continuing to work on the detailed proposals so we can go ahead when we have the final permission."