New Maidstone United chairman Oliver Ash, centre, wants a 3G pitch included in plans for a new stadium. Picture: Gary Browne.

By Alex Hoad

Oliver Ash says having an artificial pitch is essential to Maidstone’s new £1million ground at James Whatman Way being built – and remains hopeful it could be open by Christmas 2011.

The new Stones chairman, who has taken control along with local businessman Terry Casey and new chief executive Bill Williams, said: "We are convinced that having a state-of-the-art artificial pitch surrounded by a modest stadium is the only way forward.

"It would be great to have all of the club’s community teams playing on the same ground. It would mean the ground could be in use seven days a week and the junior teams would get a chance to play on the same pitch as the first team."

Mr Ash revealed there had been "enough homework done" during a previous Football Foundation grant application to suggest playing on an artificial surface would be permitted and said the cost is likely to be around £1m. He was hopeful up to £150,000 could be obtained from a Football Foundation grant.

He said: "A significant amount will have to come from further investors like ourselves. We will certainly look to the supporters to come on board, we will underwrite some of the cost ourselves and can’t exclude borrowing money from a bank or the local authority.

"It is realistic to believe we could be playing there next Christmas, but nothing is guaranteed."