AFC Wimbledon is officially coming home after a landmark agreement was signed at the site where the club's new stadium will be built in Plough Lane.

Representatives from AFC Wimbledon, Merton Council and GRA Acquisitions Limited have signed the section 106 agreement that clears the way for the long-awaited new stadium.

The new development at Plough Lane will bring to the borough an 11,000 to 20,000 seater football stadium, 602 new homes, shops and a squash and fitness club.

Signing the agreement, AFC Wimbledon and Galliard Homes committing to not only bring this major new development to the area, but also £1.5 million into health provisions and improvements to the local bus, road and cycle network.

The development will bring construction jobs to the area as well as longer-term employment once the stadium, shops and fitness clubs are up and running.

AFC Wimbledon Chief Executive Erik Samuelson said: “The signing today is the culmination of many years of hard work by a large group of people but much more important is the realisation of a dream that our unique, community-based club can return to its home in Merton.

“There’s still an enormous amount to do, of course, but today is a time for us to pause and celebrate our collective achievement in finally, after the club’s 26 years away from the borough, getting the plans for this fantastic project finally agreed and of course the development brings with it 602 new homes.”

Mr Samuelson added: “The plan now is that clearance of the site will start in early 2018 and we aim to start building our new stadium next Summer which when complete will form a fantastic base for the expansion of our community activities in Merton and surrounding boroughs.

Merton Council's leader, Councillor Stephen Alambritis, said: “After a long journey, this is a proud moment a historic moment for Merton.

“Our experienced planning officers have spent a great deal of time and effort to ensure this exciting development will benefit both the greatly loved club AFC Wimbledon, as well as Merton and the many families and fans who live here.

“It has been a pleasure working with the club since we granted the planning permission in 2015. I look forward to seeing the stadium and housing become a reality over the coming months and can’t wait to see the first game.

“Welcome home AFC Wimbledon.”

Merton Council unanimously approved AFC Wimbledon’s and Galliard’s application to build a new stadium on December 10, 2015.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan formally handed back to Merton Council the powers to progress AFC Wimbledon’s application or the football stadium in August 2016.