Seven years after it first won planning consent – and two years after it was offered for auction at £2.5million - the demolition men moved into the old Wisbech Town FC ground in Lerowe Road.

Wisbech Standard: Work starts on housing for former Wisbech Town FC groundWork starts on housing for former Wisbech Town FC ground (Image: Archant)

Developers had to sweat on getting their planning consent for 83 homes renewed four years ago but all is now place for the homes to be built.

Locally based Humphrey Demolition posted the first photo today of the former ground – complete with clubhouse and stands- being cleared.

Included in the mix of 83 homes are up to a third for affordable housing.

Permission was given by Fenland Council for 19 x 4-bed houses, 35 x 3-bed houses, 18 x 2-bed houses, 6 x 2-bed flats, and 5 x 1-bed flats.

Nearby residents supported re-development of the site once Wisbech Town agreed to re-locate to a new site on the Lynn Road.

The only objections came from four residents who signed a petition concerned about the number of homes proposed.

They were also worried about the state of the old buildings and wanted them cleared after fearing unauthorised access and rat infestation.

In the intervening years their fears were realised as complaints piled up about the rapidly deteriorating condition of the site.

Meanwhile the football club itself faced opposition to their ground switch – surviving petitions and protests to finally win permission to build their new stadium.