COUNCIL bosses have little power to meet the demands of worried Southend United fans seeking assurances to protect the club’s future, a senior councillor says.

The Shrimpers Trust has submitted a six-point plan to Southend Council which the fan groups believe will safeguard Southend United as it moves away from Roots Hall to Fossetts Farm.

However, Independent and Conservative councillors fear the authority may not have the ability to implement the proposals.

Echo: Vision - Southend United plans (Image: Populous / Southend Planning Portal)Vision - Southend United plans (Image: Populous / Southend Planning Portal) (Image: Populous / Southend Planning Portal)

Martin Terry, Independent deputy council leader and season ticket holder, said: “Most of what is being asked for here are civil matters and not planning matters as much.

“We’ve put forward a condition that Roots Hall is not to be touched until the new stadium is in hand.

“I want the club to survive like everyone else does and it has a good fan base.

I also want to see it do well and think it’s good for the city.

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“Accessibility, the conditions we can attach and letting the fans speak at the planning meeting are in our remit, other demands are not.

“I like the business model in Germany where the fans own the majority of the club. I think if we had a wealthy investor and this model it could work for our club.”

Plans include the new 16,226-seat stadium and up to 1,503 homes at Fossetts Farm as well as homes to replace the existing Roots Hall stadium.

 

Echo: Inside - Southend United stadium (Image: Populous / Southend Planning Portal)Inside - Southend United stadium (Image: Populous / Southend Planning Portal) (Image: Southend Planning Portal)

 

Kevin Buck, Tory member of the council’s development control committee, echoed the comments made by Mr Terry.

He said: “I am not against the development in principle. I think it probably would have been appropriate to have these discussions earlier on in the planning process and negotiations.

“I am not sure what power the council has over these demands from the trust. I think it would form part of further talks about the development.

“I am unsure why they think the council has the gift of these demands. I am not sure if half of these are things we can necessarily deal with.

“I believe the commercial deal very much favours Fossetts Farm and the development. I think Southend Council is doing a lot of heavy lifting by supporting the proposals in principle.