Southend United Chairman Ron Martin has declared today the biggest in the Football Club's history.

The Blues supremo received a massive boost this morning when he learnt that United's plans for a new 22,000 seater stadium at Fossetts Farm had been approved.

Almost 14 months after the original plans were approved by Southend Council the Club have been given the green light to build their dream home.

And Martin hopes that his side can be playing in their super stadium by August 2010.

"I'm delighted, not only for the hard work my team has put in, but for the people of Southend," said Martin at this afternoon's press conference.

"Our supporters have waited many years for this and it is pivotal to take Southend from decades of the lower echelons of the Football League, to be able to compete in the Championship.

"Had it been refused Southend would have been at Roots Hall with no future.

"But our application ticked all the right boxes with the Inspector with not one part of application having been questioned.

"I think this is the biggest day of our history, if people knew what it has taken to get here they would agree."

The scheme, which is based over 52 acres, will take around 20 months to complete with Martin hopeful kicking the first ball in August 2010.

The project is estimate to cost around £50million, with the funding coming from the sale of United's current Roots Hall home to Sainsbury's.

"The plans for Roots Hall have been approved and contracts exchanged with Sainsbury's and those funds will be used to construct the new stadium," Ron added.

Hazel Blears, Communities and Local Government Secretary, said in today's report published today she was 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 an access road to the Club's new training ground.

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.

But Mr Martin doesn't foresee those issues being a problem.

"There are a couple of small issues to resolve," he said. "But they can be sorted out with a legal agreement.

"That would only take a few days, but we've been given seven weeks; I don't envisage it taking that long."

The news could also herald the opening of a transfer warchest for boss Steve Tilson as his side chase down promotion back into the Championship.

Blues are within a point of the play-offs and Martin confirmed that there could yet be further strengthen of the squad.

"With the planning permission comes the ability to underpin the teams success," confirmed the 55-year-old.

"We made moves to strengthen in the January transfer window, and now we may yet make more additions to the squad to boost our chances."

Southend United Football Club would like to thank the many supporters and residents of the town that threw their support behind the plans.

Without your help none of this would have been possible, and the Football Club will endeavour to make you all proud with its new stadium.