By Alex Hoad

The decision on whether Maidstone will install an artificial pitch at their proposed new ground in the County Town will be made on December 22.

United general manager Bill Williams (pictured) revealed the final cost of the project to bring the Stones back to Maidstone at a ground on Whatman Way is expected to be known in the coming week, with the decision over whether to pursue a 3G surface to follow soon after.

He said: "The current state of play is that we have put out for costings for the ground

"(Shareholders) Oliver Ash, Terry Casey and I sat down and looked at the stadium plans, at the configuration of everything and we moved some things around to make it more accessible.

"They were very minor changes, nothing major - basically we have moved some buildings closer together, the changing rooms and the clubhouse - but in making it more accessible, it made it more cost-effective.

"We put that out to a local contractor and they are costing it for us. We are anticipating we will receive some word early next week."

The club have submitted separate plans for a stadium with a grass pitch and one with a 3G artificial surface, which is expected to add £150,000 to the overall total.

Mr Williams said: "The biggest decision of all is what sort of pitch we are going to have. We are all still talking about it and it is such an important decision."

He added: "For me, personally, it is a no-brainer.

"I have been a football man all my life but when you analyse it, you simply can’t make enough financial revenues from the use of a grass pitch."