GRAYS Athletic supporters are set to lobby councillors one more time as they hope to influence decision-making at Thurrock Council's planning meeting this evening (Thursday, 21 September).

And if they fail to win support, bulldozers could soon move in to flatten the ground they want to call home.

The long-running saga of the club's bid to take over the derelict Thurrock FC stadium on Ship Lane returns to the council chamber, possibly for the last time as councillors are asked to reconsider granting the scheme approval when it was last considered.

The scheme for a car preparation plant on the site, with Grays being gifted the stadium by its potential purchasers Group 1 Automotive, was approved in July on the casting vote of chairman Cllr Tom Kelly.

Just six councillors were able to vote at the last meeting – this evening it looks likely that they will be reduced to four – and if Cllr Kelly and his vice-chair Cllr Georgette Polley stick to their guns supporting the scheme, there could be a repeat casting vote that would see an officer recommendation to refuse rejected again.

Even then, if approval were granted, the application is still set to go before the planning inspectorate.

Pressure was ramped up on the decision-makers this week with news that an application to demolish the stadium has been submitted to the council.

Effectively, it's a strong arm tactic saying 'if you don't use it, we'll demolish it' and then it would become a brownfield-classified site which would be more likely to get planning permission for the car preparation plant as it removes the green belt equation from the officer recommendation to refuse – a major factor put forward by objectors to the existing proposal.

And Grays and Group 1 Automotive have also withdrawn a partner application, which was due to be considered tonight, for construction of new 3G football pitch, spectator area and 4.5m high fencing at Belhus.

Critics of Grays and Group 1 have said that is another way that the two are trying to 'bully' the scheme through by showing what will be lost if it doesn't happen.

A statement was issued by Grays Athletic saying: "We have been made aware that should we be unsuccessful in Thursday's ratification meeting for Ship Lane, the stadium will sadly be demolished.

"We understand that the protracted process has taken its toll on Harry South and he will sell the land that can be built on, which is the stadium site, to get the money from the land which has now been locked through the current planning process for several years.

"Ship Lane is a community asset which would be there for the whole community to use, however it may be destroyed to make way for a rumoured caravan park.

"It's important now, more than ever, that we let Thurrock Council and those that object to us and G1's joint application, know that our application is the only one which makes sense, one which provides the community with benefits for decades.

"Do the right thing Thurrock Council and ratify the decision you originally made for the benefit of your own community rather than destroying yet another community asset."

At the last meeting Cllrs Kelly and Polley were joined in supporting the scheme by Cllr Adam Carter. However, he is not expected to attend this evening. But numbers are set to be balanced up again as Cllr Sue Shinnick, who opposed it last time alongside Cllrs Paul Arnold and Lee Watson, is reported to be on holiday.

No other councillors can step in to vote and the meeting will remain quorate with just the four eligible members.

The notice of demolition at the football ground, says that the site's current owner, Harry South, is applying to knock it down on, or after, 18 November, should permission for its dismantling be given.