IT'S all systems go for a new multi-million pound Evesham United clubhouse and stadium at Cheltenham Road now all the legal agreements have been signed.

Contracts are also being exchanged this week between the club and Bloor Homes to secure a housing deal at The Robin's present site in Common Road, which should cover most of the cost of relocation.

United's chairman, Jim Cockerton said there was a huge amount of work to be done on the site, but he hoped the new ground would be up and running by next August.

Mr Cockerton said: "I am very relieved. It has taken 12 months to get all the documents signed after planning permission was granted, but anything worth while is worth waiting for. It will be a great thing for the club, the fans and the people of Evesham."

Agent for the club Jim Powell said: "The site was first earmarked in 1998 and it has taken five years to obtain this permission satisfying many legal and technical details.

"When the new club is finished it will also be a community base for youth and ladies football."

Mr Powell said major alternations to the A46 roundabout at the top of Cheltenham Road will take place first, and major landscaping work, as part of the planning permission.

The plans include a purpose built clubhouse, a main pitch, car parking and two practice pitches.

Head of planning at Wychavon District Council, Jack Hegarty said: "Very few applicants in recent years have been so thoroughly considered.

"It has taken all this time to get this right and we have now got a planning permission that we can issue."

The new facility is being built on a greenfield site, despite protests at the time from nearby residents and neighbouring parishes.

Some Cheltenham Road residents believed a need to relocate had not been demonstrated, and the parishes were concerned about a licensed club operating in the open countryside.

Evesham Town Council and Wychavon District Council backed the plans in May 2001.