Maidstone United Football Club (MUFC) has launched a campaign to raise funds towards a new £1.6m stadium development at James Whatman Way.

The Ryman League Premier Division club is planning to fund the project using capital from its new owners (£250,000) and the Football Foundation (£150,000). MUFC anticipates that it will source the remaining £1.2m from new investors buying shares in the club, with the closing date for the campaign at the end of April.

Shares would be offered in the ground-owning company rather than the overall business in a bid to provide investors with a "tangible asset". The development plans would see MUFC return to the Kent town for the first time in more than 20 years and would incorporate a 3G synthetic surface.

An initial capacity of 3,000 spectators is planned, with the option to extend it to 5,000. Prime Group are designing the venue and will project manage the facility.