Gillingham chairman Paul Scally believes a new stadium would be a game changer for Medway.

He has appealed to fans, residents and businesses in the Towns to back his plan for a new community arena at Mill Hill in Gillingham.

The club have asked for people to contact Medway Council’s planning department with their support ahead of the formalisation of the Local Plan.

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Along with a new all-seater stadium, the plans include additional businesses, leisure facilities, shops and housing on the site, which is adjacent to the club’s training facility at Beechings Cross. It could, according to Mr Scally, create over 3,000 new jobs.

With an existing train line running past the Mill Hill site, Mr Scally is also in talks with Network Rail about the feasibility of a new station.

It’s a major project, something Mr Scally has been working on for 17 years, and believes this is Gillingham’s last chance.

VIDEO: Gillingham chairman believes a new stadium would be a game changer.

In 2014, draft plans were submitted for a new stadium on 40 acres of land at Mill Hill, off Yokosuka Way in Gillingham.

Mr Scally said: “You don’t have to be a football fan to acknowledge that the football club has a major role to play in the community of any conurbation.

“We are very much part of the community. This is the only chance we have of keeping Gillingham Football Club in Medway or of the football club developing.

“Over the last 10 years we have done site studies on so many areas. This is the only site that is appropriate for an arena in Medway.

“You don’t have to be a Gillingham Football Club fan to support us. This concept of a community stadium will create lots of jobs, probably over 3,000, but also delivers all the initiatives that people in Medway enjoy, either directly or indirectly.

“It has to be right for Medway. We are asking that our supporters and people who live in Medway to write into the council planning department in support of the new arena, a multi-use arena on that site, with a railway station potentially right next to it going forward.”

Back in May, the plans for a new stadium were given the backing by government minister MP Mark Francois.

Mr Scally’s proposal for a new railway station will make travel to and from the stadium more convenient.

He said: “To build a stadium and a purpose-built railway station that is usable on matchdays and non matchdays, by local people, is very important.

“We have had very positive meetings with Network Rail and we are progressing that concept.”

Mr Scally is still negotiating with partners to secure funding for the project.

He said: “I am hopeful we get to a conclusion in the next couple of months.”

The closing date for consultation of Medway’s Local Plan is on Tuesday, April 18.