Legacy plans include the retention of part of the Popular Stand terrace, including the tunnel, a memorial garden and marking of the centre circle.

Chairman Jason McGill said: "There is a legacy, we have all worked together hard to leave a lasting tribute for supporters.

"It is vitally important to reflect on our past and have somewhere we can remember the past. The supporters will be able to go to the new development and reflect on the memories they had.

"We are trying to do something a little bit different and it is in a more meaningful way. There are things that supporters can go and visit."

The project is a first for Historic England and comes after seeing a number of old football stadiums lost to a new development without proper recognition for their past.

"This project is all about people's memories and hopefully creating a new and distinctive place," said Jason Wood from Historic England.

"A football ground hasn't attracted the interest of the heritage community as much as it nought to and we have lost over the years too many historic football grounds to redevelopments who have been wholly unsympathetic.

"Too many football grounds gave been lost to redevelopments without a nod to its former purpose."