The latest plan will see the 21,000-seat stadium complex flanked by three major apartment blocks, helping to fund the scheme at Fossetts Farm.

A new stadium has been in the offing for 15 years, but plans have foundered several times. The last scheme in 2008 stalled as Sainsbury’s, which was backing the club, suffered setbacks.

The latest plan will include a 131 bed hotel and residential development, an 11-12 screen cinema, retail and restaurant floorspace together with related ancillary infrastructure at Fossetts Farm.

The club is now confident the latest plan will finally get off the ground and hopes to submit planning in December with view to starting construction next year.

British Land will fund the first phase of the development, which includes a 12 screen Cineworld, 10 restaurants, and the apartments alongside three sides of the stadium.