Billericay Town have pulled the plug on their £14.5million soccer stadium at Basildon's Gloucester Park, it was revealed today.

New chairman and majority shareholder Steve Kent has withdrawn from talks over the new ground, designed to house 4,000 fans with potential to rise to 6,000 in the future.

Stadia Management, the Scottish company which worked with Billericay Town to spearhead the development, was today considering the future of the plans, which included a hotel, leisure facilities and a swimming pool.

Mr Kent, a Danbury businessman, took control of the club last Wednesday after buying shares in an unconfirmed £130,000 deal.

He said: "I have many ambitious plans for Billericay, but taking them out of the town is not one of them."

Published Tuesday January 13, 2004

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