PLANS for Southend United’s new stadium have been delayed after Southend Council asked for up to six months longer to scrutinise them.

The club wants to build a 21,000 seat stadium and entertainment complex, however the council wants until September 30 to look at them - two years after the original deadline.

In a letter sent to the club the council said it wants more time “to allow for submission of further information, assessment of information, consultation, negotiation and completion of a S106 agreement”.

A S106 agreement involves developers and a council agreeing on how much the developer will pay towards improving the infrastructure in the area to cope with the extra demand on services.

The council letter states: “Notwithstanding this request, should the council be in a position to issue a decision in relation to the application before September 30, 2019, I confirm that it will do so.”

Club chairman Ron Martin said: “Local authorities are required to determine applications within a prescribed period and in respect of an application that is subject to an environmental statement this is a minimum of 16 weeks.

“Of course, with an application of such magnitude as that of the club’s, 16 weeks is unrealistic and why the council seeks extensions from time to time.

“The club has consented on each occasion.

“This allows the council to carry on and complete their work and bring the application to committee hopefully within that period. If the council failed to do so then they would seek a further extension before the expiry of September 30 - this is not envisaged.”

A council spokesman said: “The extension was agreed to allow more time to facilitate further discussions with the applicant.

“Whilst the application is still being discussed it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

The proposed multi-million-pound development includes a 21,000-seat stadium on Fossetts Farm, off Eastern Avenue, as well as five residential buildings, shops, restaurants, a cinema and four full sized grass football pitches.

The planning application was initially submitted to the council in April 2017 and the council had until September of that year to determine whether it should go ahead.

Since then the council has requested several extensions, with the last request taking it from a December 2018 deadline to March 31.

In January, deputy council leader James Courtenay defended the delays saying that the scale of the project meant that far greater scrutiny has been necessary.

“We are talking about a retail area a third of the size of Lakeside, a 21,000-seater stadium and 800 new homes,” he said.

“It could go before development control for a decision, but the applicant wants it to go through with everything recommended for approval. If things aren’t set up right, it could be recommended for refusal. The applicant wants to get everything right and he’s worked with the council on that.”