MAIDSTONE United chairman Paul Bowden-Brown has announced that the club’s 16-year wait to build a new ground in the town could finally be over.

The club had an informal meeting with Maidstone Borough Council on Thursday night to present their design for a 3,000-capacity stadium in the town centre and will spend the next few days preparing a full planning application to be submitted in the first week of April.

Bowden-Brown said: “Today’s announcement is the most significant in the many years I’ve been involved in trying to bring the club back to its rightful home. At last I think we can truly say we can see a light at the end of the tunnel.”

He also confirmed the club have finalised details for a 99-year lease on the land at James Whatman Way which is owned by the Ministry of Defence. After months of negotiation the lease will be signed once planning permission is granted.

It is understood the club needs to generate between £250,000 and £500,000 to pay for the project, although an official announcement about funding will be made on March 31.

Bowden-Brown added: “I do not want to pre-judge what the council will ultimately decide, but I do not envisage any problems because we have worked so closely with them and the MOD every step of the way. I want to put on record my thanks for all their help.”

If everything goes to plan Stones hope to open their new stadium with a prestigious friendly, possible against a Premiership club, at the start of the 2005/06 season.