SOUTHEND United chairman Ron Martin has spoken of his delight after plans for a new Sainsbury's, petrol garage and homes at Roots Hall were approved.

He spoke as a public inquiry got under way looking in detail at Southend United's plans for a new 22,000 seat stadium at Fossetts Farm.

Outline planning permission for the new store and housing at Roots Hall has been granted on condition of the club's move to Fossetts Farm.

As part of the Roots Hall scheme, the stadium will be demolished along with the St Mary's Court flats and shops in nearby Victoria Avenue.

In their place will be the 107,000 sq ft supermarket, a petrol station and 272 homes.

The development is dependent on the relocation of the football club to Fossetts Farm, which is the subject of a public inquiry starting today.

Club chairman Ron Martin welcomed the decision, saying it would help the club show its plans were financially viable.

He said: "This is a major step towards enabling the club to develop a state-of-the-art stadium complex which will benefit the town and put its football club on the map."

The council initially refused the plan because it included 402 homes, but the reduction to 272 homes mainly flats, won councillors over.

Councillors did however raised concerns about traffic problems.

Committee chairman Ron Price (Con, Prittlewell) said: "Fairfax Drive has confusing access and is a particularly busy junction. If it's not sorted, then I can see chaos ahead."