Southend United took another step closer to achieving their goal of moving to a new 22,000 all-seater stadium this afternoon.

The Blues application to redevelop their current Roots Hall home went before Southend Borough Council's Development Control Committee today.

United's plans to build a Sainsbury's Supermarket and 272 homes on their current base were unanimously approved by the Council - 14-0 in favour of the scheme.

And it means the Club have now taken a huge step forwards in their plans to relocate to a new home at Fossetts Farm.

A Government Public Inquiry is set to start on those proposals tomorrow morning at the Council headquarters.

Southend Council passed the initial application in January 2007, only for the Secretary of State to call in the proposals for review.

The Roots Hall development is subject to a number of conditions yet to be defined in a Section 106 agreement and signed-off by the Council.