AFC Wimbledon FC will be a step closer to finding out the fate of its proposed £20m ($30.2m, €27.8m) stadium development following a 10 December planning meeting.

The application for the development, which includes a 20,000-seater stadium (with an initial 11,000 capacity) and 602 residential homes built on its “spiritual” Plough Lane home, was submitted to the London Borough of Merton in November 2014.

Merton’s Planning Applications committee will deliberate over the application after two rounds of statutory consultation provoked 7,000 responses, with three-quarters of respondents supportive of the plans.

If the committee gives the proposal the green light, the club will seek to finalise an agreement to carry out infrastructure works, such as road and pavement improvements and signage – known as a Section 106 agreement.

AFC Wimbledon will then tender out demolition and building work on the Plough Lane site, currently home to stock car and greyhound racing. Galliard Homes and GRA Acquisitions are partnering the club on the housing development, which includes retail, commercial and leisure club space.

Construction work is expected to begin towards the end of 2016, with the club taking up residence for the start of the 2018/19 season.

The club sold its Cherry Red Records Stadium, which has been its home since 2002, to Chelsea Football Club. The Premier League club intends to use the ground for its youth and women’s team.

“I believe we have addressed all the issues raised during the statutory consultation and have made a strong case for the scheme to be approved at Merton’s planning committee,” said AFC Wimbledon chief executive Erik Samuelson.

“Now it is up to the councillors to give our application the support it merits. If planning permission is granted, it means we are a substantial step closer to achieving our aim.”