Albion chairman Dick Knight today pledged manager Mark McGhee's playing budget will be unaffected by the latest financial blow to the club over Falmer.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has decided to re-open the public inquiry into the Seagulls' new stadium plans.

Knight estimates that will cost the club "a few hundred thousand pounds" on top of the £2.5 million they have already spent on the Falmer project but says the money available to McGhee is ring-fenced.

"It won't have any implications for the playing budget I have already given to Mark," Knight vowed.

"It will just put another huge financial burden on the club without being able to increase our gate revenue because of the restrictions of Withdean, but we have shown great resourcefulness in the past and will do so again.

"We've spent £1.3 million on the public inquiry and about £1.25 million on the planning application, so we are talking more than £2.5 million and this is going to push it towards £3 million.

"The decision is frustrating because of the extra time and the extra financial burden on the club. It will be a few hundred thousand pounds and it will take a few months."

Prescott wants seven alternative sites, including Withdean, to be looked at again.

"Our opponents have claimed there are other better sites," Knight said. "Now is the time for them to put up or shut up."