AFTER a gap of more than two years since planning permission was agreed, the small print on a legal agreement between Tilbury FC and Thurrock Council has finally been signed - meaning works could start soon on the Dockers' new stadium.

In principle the planning application for the club to move to a new stadium on land adjacent to the existing Chadfield ground, which would then be the site for up to 112 new homes, was reached at a planning committee meeting on 7 January 2021.

The club had to overturn objections from officers to win approval and, with the help of backers, Apex Platinum Investments, they did just that - getting the support of local councillors.

However, as is often the case when officers' noses are put out of joint by losing a recommendation, the bureaucracy then kicked it.

And the negotiations over the finer points of a Section 106 agreement have taken place over the subsequent 27 months.

The agreement is about how much the club and developers should pay for local community facilities, other than provision of the new stadium which will be used by many in the local Tilbury community.

However, the deal, which can be viewed here is now done and signed.

It has been agreed that the club and Apex will pay £433,712 towards education and £218,856 to local healthcare provision. Also £14,7500 towards environmental mitigation in the area.

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If work were to commence soon, it is likely the stadium would be up and running for the 2024/5 season when it will also be used by Grays Athletic who recently signed a two year deal to groundshare at Tilbury. And the Blues have their own hopes of getting a stadium still on the planners' agenda as they still have hopes of the green light being given for a controversial development on the site of Thurrock FC's former ground.