The Hartsdown Park site has stood empty for two years

Margate Football Club was demoted from the Conference to the Conference South in the summer.

Former home Hartsdown Park had already been demolished in 2002 when work on its replacement was stopped.

But the club was given permission to start work last month and Thanet Council has now given it 30 days to come up with plans for the stadium.

10-year lease

Hartsdown Park had been Margate's home since 1929, but since it closed in 2002 the club has played at Dover Athletic's ground.

Directors planned a 6,000-seater stadium on the Hartsdown Park site, but work stalled when Thanet District Council insisted on a clause stating that if the club went bust, the land returned to the council.

Margate were demoted from the Nationwide Conference in May, under rules governing clubs not having their own grounds.

Margate have been playing home games at Dover Athletic's ground

They had finished 15th - five places above the relegation zone.

In October, the council offered the club a 10-year lease on the land with a view to allowing building work to start.

Club bosses said they planned to have the team playing in the new stadium at the start of next season in August 2005.

At a meeting on Wednesday night the council asked directors for plans.

'Ball in club's half'

They must produce a detailed planning application, project plan, business plan, a list of companies involved in the scheme and evidence of how it will be funded within 30 days.

Council leader Sandy Ezekiel said: "We are committed to seeing football return to Margate and last night's decision is a step towards that goal.

"However, the ball is now in the club's half.

"It is vital that residents have their say on the scheme and it is equally important that we ensure the viability of the project before it proceeds," he said.

"We cannot do that without the information we are requesting."