Aveley Football Club (AFC) has appointed consultancy Sports Solutions GB (SSGB) to examine the feasibility of a community sports development for the town.

Under the £3m plans, the Ryman Premier League club would relocate to a new ground after 58 years at its current Mill Field home, which would be turned over to housing. New community facilities would accompany the proposed new ground, with two potential sites identified by the club. SSGB is now set to establish whether the development is viable.

Funding for the scheme would be provided through the sale of the Mill Field site together with grant support. The new facilities would be developed to meet Sport England requirements. AFC chair Graham Gennings said: "We are delighted to be in a position to investigate the opportunity to relocate the club to a larger site, which is far more suitable to the needs of our users and will offer the opportunity for more of the local community to become involved in a range of sports."