AFC Wimbledon’s proposal to build an 11,000-capacity stadium close to its spiritual Plough Lane home has moved a step closer as a result of the Mayor of London declining to intervene in the planning process.

Sadiq Khan wrote to Merton Borough Council to clear the local authority to make a decision on the League One football club’s proposal itself without the input of City Hall, following a short consultation period.

The move to develop the £20m (US$26.4m, €23.3m) complex – which also includes more than 600 residential homes and leisure facilities – appears to be a formality now after Merton Council originally gave the project the green light before former mayor Boris Johnson decided that he wanted to evaluate the plan.

In a statement following the decision, AFC Wimbledon said it “welcomed the decision” and hoped that the council would “confirm that the planning application has been granted”.

“When this is done it will be a major step forwards for the club’s ambitions to return to our home in Merton and a genuine cause for celebration.”