Developers have won a controversial appeal which could see Chelmsford City Football Club leave the town centre for good.

Now Chelmsford Council has called for an urgent meeting with Brentwood-based Countryside Properties to seek "some common ground" in the future of the club's former New Writtle Street stadium.

The decision will see the Dr Martens League club, who over the last two seasons have played at Maldon and Billericay, press ahead with plans to move to an out-of-town ground at Generals Lane, Boreham.

Club press officer Steve Dorrington said he expected a planning application to be submitted soon.

Countryside Properties are expected to assist with developing the ten-acre site.

The public inquiry was necessary as Countryside had proposed to build a new fitness centre with practice wickets for neighbouring Essex County Cricket Club, a new children's daycare and activity centre, and parking for Falcon Bowls Club, at New Writtle Street.

Borough councillors viewed the plans with trepidation and refused the scheme. They have objected to the football club leaving the ground.

But today the Government Inspector came down in favour of Countryside Properties. Its chairman, Alan Cherry, was delighted with the outcome.

"We were very confident with the appeal and glad that the inspector came down in our favour," he said.

"I have not yet seen the full report and expect that there will be certain conditions."

Spokesman for the ruling Liberal Democrats on Chelmsford Council, Graham Pooley, said: "We are hoping that all parties are happy to sit down and talk about the future of the site. That was what was proposed before and I'm sure that is still the case."

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.