AFC Wimbledon’s hopes of moving into a new stadium have been raised after they exchanged contracts with Chelsea for the sale of their Kingsmeadow stadium.

Chelsea plan to use the stadium, with a capacity of 4,800, for their academy and ladies’ team matches, whilst Wimbledon hope that the funds of over £2m they receive for the ground can contribute towards a new home at Plough Lane.

Though the Dons received planning permission from Merton Council for an 11,000-capacity stadium at their former home proposals for the ground were called in by then-London mayor Boris Johnson and remain with his successor Sadiq Khan.

As such Wimbledon and Chelsea have agreed that any deal for Kingsmeadow will be contingent on the Dons receiving planning permission for their new stadium.

In Pictures: AFC Wimbledon celebrate promotion after beating Plymouth Argyle 15 show all In Pictures: AFC Wimbledon celebrate promotion after beating Plymouth Argyle 1/15 Well Don, Wimbledon! AFC Wimbledon players hold the League Two Play-Off trophy aloft. 2016 Getty Images 2/15 Ardley believe it Neal Ardley, manager of Wimbledon celebrates after their victory. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 3/15 On the up Wimbledon players celebrate after the full-time whistle. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 4/15 Winners at Wombley Dons celebrate Lyle Taylor's winning goal. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 5/15 Icing on the cake Akinfenwa coolly converts from the penalty spot. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images 6/15 Lyle Taylor runs to manager Neil Ardley after putting Wimbledon ahead. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 7/15 Taylor made Lyle Taylor caused problems for Plymouth in the opening stages. 2016 Getty Images 8/15 Team bonding The Wimbledon players huddle before kick-off. Getty Images 9/15 Wembley Way The fans arrive for the final. 2016 Getty Images 10/15 Wave your flag Plymouth fans were in fine voice in the build-up. 2016 Getty Images 11/15 Final face Plenty of fans dressed to impress. 2016 Getty Images 12/15 Hairy moment One young fan showed no nerves. 2016 Getty Images 13/15 Early battle Lyle Tayor of Wimbledon tackles with Curtis Nelson. 2016 Getty Images 14/15 Midfield battle Andy Barcham looks to get the ball off Jake Jervis. Getty Images 15/15 Dons crowding them out Paul Robinson beats Jervis to the ball. Getty Images 1/15 Well Don, Wimbledon! AFC Wimbledon players hold the League Two Play-Off trophy aloft. 2016 Getty Images 2/15 Ardley believe it Neal Ardley, manager of Wimbledon celebrates after their victory. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 3/15 On the up Wimbledon players celebrate after the full-time whistle. Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images 4/15 Winners at Wombley Dons celebrate Lyle Taylor's winning goal. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 5/15 Icing on the cake Akinfenwa coolly converts from the penalty spot. Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images 6/15 Lyle Taylor runs to manager Neil Ardley after putting Wimbledon ahead. Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 7/15 Taylor made Lyle Taylor caused problems for Plymouth in the opening stages. 2016 Getty Images 8/15 Team bonding The Wimbledon players huddle before kick-off. Getty Images 9/15 Wembley Way The fans arrive for the final. 2016 Getty Images 10/15 Wave your flag Plymouth fans were in fine voice in the build-up. 2016 Getty Images 11/15 Final face Plenty of fans dressed to impress. 2016 Getty Images 12/15 Hairy moment One young fan showed no nerves. 2016 Getty Images 13/15 Early battle Lyle Tayor of Wimbledon tackles with Curtis Nelson. 2016 Getty Images 14/15 Midfield battle Andy Barcham looks to get the ball off Jake Jervis. Getty Images 15/15 Dons crowding them out Paul Robinson beats Jervis to the ball. Getty Images

Erik Samuelson, the Wimbledon chief executive, said “This is a major milestone for us. The proceeds of this deal are an essential part of the financing of the new stadium. The vision of a return to Merton, with all the community benefits it also brings, is now becoming very real.”

Kingstonian, who share Kingsmeadow with Wimbledon, will have to find a new home but the Dons have confirmed they will make what they term a “substantial donation” to the Isthmian League side, a decision welcomed by their joint chairman Malcolm Winwright.

“This is more positive news for all concerned in the process of AFC Wimbledon returning to Merton,” he said.

“We continue to enjoy a full and open relationship with Erik and his board, together with David Growns and other members of the Dons Trust Board, who continue to assist us on a number of fronts.”