An ambitious redevelopment of Margate Football Club’s Hartsdown Park to provide a new stadium and 80-bed hotel is set to begin this summer.

Work on the eye-catching transformation can now get under way after the club bought the ground from Thanet Dictrict Council.

The plans include new stands to increase capacity, a hotel, fitness club, conference suites and a play area, but may be amended in the coming months.

Pre-construction work is set to begin at the end of the season, with the club saying the development will help to provide long-term security for its future,

It completed its purchase of the ground from TDC for £375,000 earlier this month after 18 months of negotiations.

It has already sold the land on for £400,000 to a development company attached to the club, MFC Investments Limited - whose director is Margate FC general manager Deny Wilson.

The club is now looking to put finishing touches to its masterplan for the stadium - featuring new stands, hospitality boxes, changing rooms, offices and match-day facilities. Food and drink outlets are planned, along with the new hotel on the site and children’s play facilities.

"We thank Thanet District Council, for its belief in our vision..." Club director Chris Chambers

Margate FC will lease the ground from MFC Investments on “much more beneficial terms than previously held”, said club spokesman Charlotte Richardson.

“MFC Investments has been set up as the vehicle to deliver the development and manage the land interests so as to reduce the development and financial risk to Margate FC,” she added.

“Commercial areas of the development will provide revenue to Margate FC to provide sustainability and allow development of the football operations.

“Development of the ground will provide a greater spectator offer, provide a hub for the community and for greater spectator gates.

“Project planning is under way and pre-construction work is being prepared. Some areas of these pre-construction works will need to commence this summer.”

Margate sit just four points above the relegation zone in 16th place following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Leatherhead.

Meanwhile, it has also been revealed a covenant on the pitch protecting it from development and preserving its use as a football and sports ground has no time limit.

Club director Chris Chambers said: “With this momentous decision the club, along with its development arm MFC Investments Ltd, now has the ability to move the club forward to create a stadium, ensure a sustainable future, enable growth on and off the pitch and continue our community partnership work.

“We thank Thanet District Council, for its belief in our vision and most importantly, our supporters and shareholders for their patience and continuing support to the club through both good times and challenging times.”

Planning permission was granted in 2011 with a condition that work should start by December 2014 but the club applied to TDC in November asking to remove that condition allowing the redevelopment to start.

The club says it expects to submit other plans amending the 2011 plans based on “changing economic and social conditions”.

The purchase from TDC and acquiring land around the ground was confirmed after shareholders met on January 7 and hailed it as a momentous agreement to secure the club’s future.

Extra land behind the current car park is set to be used as a new car park.

A timescale for the work or when new plans are to be released has not been announced.