PLANS for the Kent County Football Association to relocate to Maidstone from Chatham hang in the balance.

For over a year the KCFA have been negotiating a move from their long established base at Maidstone Road, Chatham to Cobdown at Ditton.

Problems with Tonbridge and Malling Council over a road that runs across the Cobdown complex have resulted in persistent delays.

Now KCFA chairman and chief executive Barry Bright has warned that a search for alternatives would have to be considered.

In his report, to be presented to the KCFA annual meeting on June 17, Mr Bright makes no attempt to conceal his frustrations. The long running saga of finding a new home started three years ago.

He confessed: "It’s a worry to me and to the KCFA. I had hoped by now we would have made substantial progress in relocating. We have identified a site at Cobdown for the erection of purpose built accommodation, which we urgently need.

"It is frustrating that the planning process has been painfully long and while I remain confident that eventually matters will be resolved, it is now necessary to start considering alternatives."

The KCFA had earlier identified Lenham’s Swadelands School as a possible site. Mr Bright admitted it was not being ruled out in the search for a new home.

The KCFA annual meeting takes place at Sandwich Town Hall on Saturday, June 17 at 3pm.