The Hartsdown Park site has stood empty for three years

A finance agreement has been reached with developers to reinstate the ground to Football Conference South status.

But Sandy Ezekiel, leader of the council, said the club will not get planning permission for the entire development without a business plan.

The club want to build commercial facilities as well as a new ground.

Planning issue

Mr Ezekiel said the council was yet to meet the football club to discuss the new plans.

"I don't really know what the club are planning, all we want is to see football back at Hartsdown - let's just get the stadium built," he said.

"We don't have a planning issue with the stadium."

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

Mr Ezekiel said the club's business plan had been assessed by an independent party and as a result the council were advised not to go forward with the plan.

Out of business

"As for the long term future we are no further down that road," he said.

Club president Gordon Wallace said he was unaware of the independent assessment results.

But he said: "These investors are so sure that what they have is a workable, reliable and robust plans that they are gambling with the scheme."

Persistent problems with the planning application have meant the football club looked like it might go out of business.

Last month it was given a final chance by Thanet Council to submit new proposals.

Funders for the club will provide money to pay for a new pitch, temporary stands and buildings to keep the club going until planning permission is granted.

Hartsdown Park had been Margate's home since 1929.

It was closed and demolished in 2002, with plans for rebuilding on the same site, but work stopped after a disagreement about ownership of the land if the club went bust