Seagulls win fight for new home

The Seagulls have been waiting for almost nine years for approval for the 22,000-seater arena on the outskirts of the city after being without a permanent home since the sale of the Goldstone Ground in 1997, and spending two years groundsharing 70 miles away at Gillingham before returning to the city with a move to the Withdean Stadium in 2001.

Seagulls chief executive Martin Perry was thrilled with the news, saying on the club's official website, www.seagulls.co.uk: "This is fantastic news for the club. It's something many of us have worked tirelessly towards for the last eight years - but it isn't green for go just yet."

The club earmarked the Falmer site in 1999 and, after a drawn out procedure, thought they had been given the all-clear to start work on the stadium when they were granted approval by former Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott in October 2005.

However, a minor error in the approval led to an appeal from Lewes District Council and the original decision was overturned after a judicial review.

But they have been given the approval this morning, meaning that they can finally start planning for life away from their 8,850-seater Withdean home.

The news arrived by mail from Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears, and Perry added: "We've already had one false dawn; as our supporters already know all to well we have been here before.

"At the moment what we do not know is if our opponents are planning a further legal challenge, which could cause more delays.

"We will have to wait until early September to see whether the decision is challenged by our opponents. Let's hope that doesn't happen, as it will mean further delays.

"I hope Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council will now work with the club to ensure that the stadium is built and operates in a way which minimises disruption and maximises both the social and economic benefits for Lewes as well as the rest of Sussex."