Brentford FC's new 20,000-capacity stadium at Kew Bridge is another step closer after the Bees signed a development agreement with residential developer Willmott Dixon.

Under the agreement, announced on Christmas Eve, Brentford FC will contribute land at Lionel Road South for Willmott Dixon to build the stadium and enabling developments.

The stadium is expected to be ready for the 2017/18 season and will include 910 new homes on the site.

The next step for the development scheme is for Hounslow Council to issue a Compulsory Purchase Order to allow the Bees to complete the land assembly.

Brentford FC chairman Cliff Crown said: "I’d like to thank all parties involved in finalising the agreement, including the team at Willmott Dixon, our lawyers Taylor Wessing, and all the advisors in our project team.

"We are excited about working with the Willmott Dixon team who have a proven track-record of taking forward similar high-quality developments utilising their skill for delivering substantial residential accommodation within a wider regeneration project."

When the new stadium, close to Kew Bridge, is complete the club's current home ground Griffin Park, which it has used since 1904, will also be developed by Willmott Dixon.

The scheme will be made up of 70 three and four-bedroom family homes for private sale.

Andrew Telfer, chief executive at Willmott Dixon’s development company Regen, said: "We are delighted to be working with Brentford Football Club to turn their exciting vision for a fantastic new stadium into reality.

"This deal highlights our ability to combine our homes for sale and private rent business models to cross-fund significant projects like stadia as well as deliver large volumes of residential accommodation for both tenures."

Leader of Hounslow Council Councillor Steve Curran said: "This agreement seals a great step forward for the Bees, Brentford and the whole borough.

"It’s another sign that Hounslow and Brentford is fast becoming known as west London’s boom town."

The Bees and Willmott Dixon will now progress all the essential permissions and preparatory work to ensure a start date later in 2015.