On Tuesday 09th September, Thurrock Councils Planning Committee met to hear an amended Group 1 variation application for Ship Lane. The variation to the plans was to move a building on Group 1's footprint south-west on their site to avoid underground and overhead infrastructure.

As the variation to the plans were relatively insignificant, the Planning Officer recommended for the committee to approve the application and subsequently the planning commitee voted in favour of the amended application.

This now means as a football club, we can now start planning how we make Ship Lane our home for decades to come. We have made contact with Group 1 and our solicitors today and hope the protracted process of transferring the stadium to us can be expedited and we can begin the renovation works as soon as we are able to secure the funding necessary to transform the derelict stadium into a vibrant home for us and our community.

Once we have more information to share with you, our loyal supporters, we will of course provide it to you at the earliest opportunity.