AFC Wimbledon are coming home. 

The Secretary of State has cleared the way for the club to return to Merton after a 25 year spell away.

The news was confirmed by Merton Council leader Stephen Alambritis.

He wrote: "Just in!! Secretary of State leaves @AFCWimbledon planning stadium application alone and hands to@Merton_Council. Will now get on with it"

Charlie Talbot, spokesman for the Bring Back the Dons campaign said his phone had been “ringing off the hook” since the news emerged.

He said: “It’s very good news.

"We are very glad that the Secretary of State’s inaction supports the planning decision of Merton Council and we are looking forward to getting on with the hard work of building the stadium.

"This is the culmination of the hard work of 25 years from a huge number of fans.

"Previous owners and other fans have said in the past that it couldn’t happen.

"We have been working towards this since 2002 and before that."

The stadium application had been questioned by Wandsworth Council on the grounds that it would have an adverse impact on the surrounding area, particularly in regards to traffic.

A Wandsworth Council spokesman said: "We’re obviously disappointed but given the major impact this scheme is going to have on our residents and businesses we make no apology for having raised the issue and for doing everything we could to stand up and represent their interests.

"We have nothing against football or AFC Wimbledon, the problem is the fact that this scheme, and in particular the 602 homes, will put an enormous strain on an already stretched transport system and will contribute little or nothing to the provision of vital public services in the area."