All three partners were delighted about Stadium developments on Thursday.

Work on Colchester's Community Stadium is expected to begin in July now that a number of crucial documents have been signed off and detailed planning permission has been granted.

At a meeting of the Shadow Board of Colchester Community Stadium Limited, representatives from Colchester Borough Council, Colchester United and Colchester United Community Sports Trust settled a comprehensive set of legal documents through which they have now become "locked in" to deliver and then operate the Community Stadium.

This follows the recent completion of Section 106 documents with English Partnerships and the North Essex Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust and secures the final agreements needed for work to begin.

At the Colchester Borough Council Planning Committee meeting on Thursday evening, councillors granted detailed planning permission for the stadium project.

Work is now planned to begin on site in July, with foundations set to be laid in August, followed by the steel frame being put in place later in the autumn and stadium completion by August 2008.

At the Planning Committee, a new artist's impression of the stadium was unveiled giving a better idea of what the finished facility will look like.

David Murthwaite, Chair of Colchester Community Stadium Limited, said: "I have been very impressed with the commitment and hard work of all of the partners involved in this project.

"They have stuck together through thick and thin to make sure Colchester gets a great new stadium which will be a real asset for the whole community."

Cllr Robert Davidson, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: "This is an incredibly exciting moment for Colchester. We have worked hard to make the Community Stadium a reality and now it's only a matter of days before we will see work begin onsite.

"My thanks to all of the partners and funders who have worked tirelessly with us to secure this exciting new facility for all our Borough`s residents.

"This is another great example of how the benefits of partnership funding continue to improve Colchester."

Peter Heard, Colchester United Chairman, said: "It is a red letter day for the town of Colchester and it's very pleasing that all three partners are now locked in.

"I think today is the real turning point and certainly cause for celebration because this new stadium is now, undoubtedly in my view, going ahead and we expect to be in there for the start of the 2008/09 season."

Steve Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Colchester United Community Sports Trust, said: "There is growing recognition that professional sport has a powerful role to play in communities and community regeneration.

"The Sports Trust has already become a national pathfinder in the delivery of community led sporting, educational, health and social programmes.

"The Community Stadium will strengthen our provision of high quality sports services to schools and the wider community as well as increasing the health, physical activity and the cultural opportunities available."

In addition to this, Steve continued: "The Education Suite will enhance individual's development of sense and place in the community, improving their quality of life.

"Moreover, the Community Stadium will allow us to bring together our own resources and work in partnership with the Council and other agencies to deliver a wide range of beneficial services to the community."