A CRUNCH Southend Council cabinet meeting next week will be D-Day for the Blues’ takeover plan as crucial details over property are ironed out, the Echo understands. 

Southend Council’s Tory cabinet will meet to consider proposals to switch new homes from Roots Hall to Fossetts Farm.

The move would be a huge step in “sealing the deal” and allowing the takeover of Southend United to be completed.

The whole Blues deal “rides on” the decision to allow 502 planned properties at Blues’ current home at Roots Hall to Fossetts Farm, off Eastern Avenue, Southend.

It is hoped the move – to be considered at a cabinet meeting on Thursday – will clear another hurdle by resolving the property issues which are believed to be a condition of the sale.

If accepted, the consortium, led by Australian IT millionaire Justin Rees and features life-long fans and businessmen, will take over the club and £20million from the housing rent will be pumped into the club.

As part of the overall position, Fossetts Farm would have a total of 1,602 homes and the proposed new Blues’ stadium would also be axed.

The key council cabinet meeting comes after the club confirmed an agreement had been reached for a takeover on October 3, with a target completion date of November 1, but was delayed to November 17.

It is understood the November 17 target date is still on track.

Speaking of the move to switch new homes from Roots Hall to Fossetts Farm, Tony Cox, leader of the Conservative-run council, said: “The deal rides on this, and if there’s no land transaction, the club won’t get its money.

“We’ve got to do this so Ron can build the houses and the consortium can take over the club, which was agreed in the takeover deal.”

It is believed that the deal to switch new homes will result in £20million being pumped into the club.

Mr Cox says he is “confident” to being on-track to meeting the deadline.

Matt Dent, Kursaal Labour councillor, said: “We’ve come for enough, and it’s unthinkable we’ll not get the land transaction. 

“However, I understand the concerns about the number of homes going on the site, but we need to ensure the necessary improvements, such as to the roads, are also delivered. 

“The takeover agreement had cross-party support, so I can feel confident the transaction will be completed, and the consortium can take over Southend United.”