travellers' hopes of moving from Crays Hill to Pitsea could be scuppered - by plans to build a new Basildon United stadium on land slated for a campsite.

The travellers have had their eyes on land in Terminus Drive, Pitsea, as a place to relocate from the illegal camp at Dale Farm, Crays Hill.

Now the landowner, Government regeneration agency English Partnerships, is considering an alternative use - as a home for Basildon United.

The agency needs to relocate six local sporting clubs so it can build a huge business park and housing estate off Gardiners Lane South, where United is based.

Basildon Council leader Malcolm Buckley, has confirmed Terminus Drive is being considered for a new football ground.

John Moran, the club's chairman, said: "We have not yet been approached, but we will consider any offer."

Mr Buckley says he believes the site is unfit for human habitation, but travellers insist they still want to pursue a possible move to Terminus Drive - between the A13 and the Fenchurch Street railway line.

Grattan Puxon, secretary of Dale Farm Housing Association, has written to English Partnerships, saying: "We are preparing to make a planning application for a gipsy caravan park at Terminus Drive and would appreciate your advice."

An agency spokesman said: "The site has been previously identified for employment use.

"It has also been identified as having potential for the relocation for one of the sports clubs."

Dale Farm Housing Association is within its rights to submit a planning application for the site - with or without the co-operation of the landowner.

The application would then be considered under normal planning procedures.

Travellers say they would prefer to stay together at Dale Farm, but are willing to disperse to smaller sites such as Terminus Drive and a legal site now being prepared at Colchester.

Referring to one of the extended traveller families at Crays Hill, Mr Puxon added: "The Sheridans like it big, but as a compromise, rather than see their homes destroyed, some Dale Farm residents would be willing to move."

Tory MP John Baron, who represents both Crays Hill and Pitsea, organised a 5,000-name protest petition when Terminus Park was first mooted as a traveller site.

He has now written to the Government, urging it to reject any traveller site plan.

He said: "The Government must use all its influence to ensure the residents of Pitsea are not discriminated against. The 5,000-signature petition cannot and must not be ignored."