Millwall FC has released further details – and images – of plans for a new training ground in a leafy part of Kent near Brands Hatch.

The south-east London club wants to build new facilities which it claims would be "amongst the best in the country" at a 50-acre green belt site in West Kingsdown, near Dartford.

The move into Kent will see the Lions' first team and academy training operations combine into one central location for the club's office and support staff.

After narrowly missing out on the play-offs, the Championship outfit now wants to upgrade its facilities as part of its long-term aim of joining English football's top table, the Premier League.

Last year it confirmed the purchase of a "significant area of land" next to ancient woodland in Fawkham Road, West Kingsdown.

An update on the plans was issued earlier today, including design images, details of the design layout, and a proposed timeline.

Club chief Steve Kavanagh said: "It is something we have been working on two-and-a-half, maybe three years, it started pre-Covid to identify sites."

He added: "So to now to be at this stage, to finally be in a position where the plans are finally being launched, and then hopefully going to planning very soon, it's great."

"A lot of work has gone into getting here but it is an important step for the long-term future of the club."

The majority of the training ground will consist of open football pitches.

The building will comprise medical, rehabilitation and treatment facilities, gym and training facilities, team and staff changing rooms, meeting rooms, press/media provision and other amenities for players and management.

An indoor training pitch is also required for the players to train in during the winter and wet weather, to be located to the rear of the site, next to the M20.

In recent months, the club has liaised with local residents, Sevenoaks council and the wider community.

It says it has also been carefully navigating "complexities" on the site, owing to its location next to the green belt, and aims to submit a planning application by the end of June.

Minimising the impact the new training ground will have on the surrounding area is at the forefront of its plans, it added.

Through its charitable arm, the Millwall Community Trust, Mr Kavanagh says the club also hopes to do good work at grassroots level.

"Once the site is up and live we will look to really expand what we are doing in that area," he added.

The Lions currently train at Calmont Road in Bromley – just over 15 miles away – but the club doesn’t own the facility and the lease is set to expire soon.

Club boss Kavanagh said a new training facility would bring several benefits to the local community and hopefully "add another string to the sporting bow of Sevenoaks".

Millwall FC has also reached out to amateur sports clubs and major organisations alike, and has begun engagement with local schools.

"Everyone has been very welcoming and engaging," added Kavanagh. "We have engaged very heavily with Brands Hatch and with the London Golf Club who will be our neighbours.

"We've been working very closely with those guys as two major sporting organisations already in that area."