The Dons have unveiled detailed plans to build an 11,000-seat stadium for an expected cost of around £16m. The design would allow for flexibility to expand to 20,000 capacity at a later date.

The club will also partner up with Galliard Homes to deliver 600 homes at the Plough Lanes site,  literally yards from the former football ground.

Merton Council will now assess the plan against other proposals for the stadium site, which includes a plan to redevelop with a new greyhound stadium and homes.

Wimbledon FC was forced to leave Plough Lane in 1991 following the publication of the Taylor Report. And after sharing Selhurst Park with Crystal Palace until 2002, moved to Milton Keynes.

AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson said: “There is a long way to go before our plans become a reality.

“Before we can submit a planning application, there are two significant hurdles that must be overcome.

“First, we must win the support of Merton Council for our proposal that the site should be developed as a football stadium.

“Second, the designation must be reviewed and approved by an independent inspector.

“The review will cover all the sites in Merton and it is likely that the result won’t be known until about March 2014.”

He added: “If we get the green light on those two matters we will then submit a formal planning application in the spring, which could take many months to be approved.”