SOUTHEND’S councillors have backed "a way forward" over plans to build hundreds of homes at Fossetts Farm ahead of another crunch meeting to decide its fate.

Southend Council’s policy and resources scrutiny committee met to debate plans to build up to 1,300 homes at Fossetts Farm, which will allow the sale of Southend United to a consortium led by Justin Rees to finally be completed.

If the principle surrounding the homes are agreed by Southend Council’s cabinet next week, the sale of the club is set to be signed off and £20million will be released to the consortium to help improve Roots Hall.

The scrutiny committee, which considered the plan ahead of the cabinet meeting on Monday, “acknowledged the report and its recommendations, accepting it as the way forward”.

At the meeting, councillors raised a series of concerns about a lack of affordable homes and the risk to taxpayers over the plan.

The Echo revealed last week that - as part of the deal - Southend Council could be liable to pay the rent on hundreds of new homes at Fossetts Farm if they fail to attract tenants, it has emerged.

Labour leader Daniel Cowan claimed the “job is half done” and stressed the scheme will need work to protect the taxpayer.

Mr Cowan said: “I am delighted that we are edging closer to a deal that will save the club but we must recognise that the job is only half done and will need a lot of work to safeguard the council’s finances while getting a deal that gives us the quality of housing we need and generates the capital required to pay the consortium and finance the development.”

Southend Labour councillor, Matt Dent, added: “I have been clear all along that saving Southend United is a non-negotiable requirement.

“It’s also true that this is a major development, and one which we need to make sure provides what Southend needs in terms of housing and doesn’t expose the council to unacceptable risks.”

Responding to Labour concerns following the meeting, Tory council leader Tony Cox attacked Labour’s willingness to accept the deal without amendment, only to criticise it following the debate.

He said: “The Labour group sat there and agreed to the paper in full.

“This is another example of Labour saying one thing and trying to do something another way, everyone wants the club saved.”