A MEMORIAL looks likely to be built on Colchester United’s former Layer Road ground to remember fans whose ashes are scattered on the pitch.

Plans for 58 homes on the U’s old home include a memorial garden and statue.

However, Colchester Council has deferred the application amid concerns about a lack of parking and the size of some properties’ gardens.

Councillors voiced support for the memorial area and statue in New Abbey Homes’ designs.

Councillor Jon Manning said: “This is an interesting site. In many ways, it’s a memorial to the past and it’s important to a lot of people.

“The memorial garden is central to this development.”

Councillor Sonia Lewis said: “We have many legends who played at Colchester. But we also have modern legends. What about Lomana LuaLua? He is a very famous player and started his career in Colchester.”

LuaLua, a Democractic Republic of Congo international, has gone on to play for Newcastle, Portsmouth and Blackpool.

Beryl Cox’s dad, Ronald Aitken, was a lifelong U’s fan whose ashes were scattered on the pitch in 1984.

The 59-year-old Monkwick resident said: “There must have been hundreds, if not thousands, of fans who chose to have their ashes scattered on the pitch.

“We don’t need names, but a memorial is important, otherwise that history will be lost and people won’t know that estate is the former home of United.

“Ever since United moved out, I have campaigned for this. It seems as though the council and the developers have taken it on board.”

A decision on the application was deferred so the council, which owns the site, can hold further talks with developers about extra parking and increasing the size of some gardens.

l Layer Road was Colchester United’s home from 1937 until May 2008, when the club’s last home game against Stoke City took place.