Plans for a 10,000-seater community football stadium in Colchester are set to be unveiled.

Months of speculation have surrounded how Colchester United's new stadium might look.

Drawings by architects Kirlees Stadia Consultancy will be part of the presentation laid on for fans, businesses, residents and local dignitaries at Swinburne Hall, Colchester Institute, in Sheepen Road, on February 12.

The scheme forms part of a masterplan for land development in the north of the town.

The stadium capacity is expected to be for 10,000 people with parking for 650 vehicles, which could be increased on match days.

U's bosses want as many people as possible taking an interest in the new stadium.

Marie Partner, chief executive at Colchester United, said: "As well as our team's efforts on the pitch, there is so much more to what goes on at our club, and this is one way we can tell a lot of people about it.

"Above all we want to share our hopes of moving to a new stadium with the whole town, because ultimately this is a development which, it is hoped, will be an integral part of the community."

The north Colchester grand plan includes council-owned agricultural land at Cuckoo Farm, and the nearby former psychiatric Severalls Hospital, which is owned by the health authority.

A health and fitness centre, a 100-bed hotel, pub/restaurant and park-and-ride facility with 400 parking spaces and a bus link to Colchester railway station are also envisaged.

It includes a business park, 1,200 homes, two new primary schools, a creche and nursery, children's play areas, allotments and open spaces.

The 269-acre development will be linked to the completion of the Northern Approaches road and a junction at the A12.

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