Southend United's new stadium to be built in two phases
Southend United has won planning permission to build a new 14,000 seater stadium in two phases.
The club said the "difficult economic times" meant it was initially looking to build a three-sided ground at Fossetts Farm.
A fourth stand and a hotel would be built when a partner was found.
The Blues are partly funding the stadium from the multi-million pound sale of the old Roots Hall ground to supermarket chain, Sainsbury's.
The club said: "It is unquestionably the club's intention to build a stadium to the specification that was originally granted planning permission.
"However the difficult economic times the country finds itself in means we are sensibly making the necessary provisions to provide flexibility and ensure the development progresses - if needs be as a phased construction."
The club was granted planning permission in 2007 and after a public enquiry the government confirmed the decision.
The club has faced financial difficulties and in 2010 reached a deal with Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs over unpaid taxes.