Brighton and Hove Albion have moved a giant step forward in their quest to build a community stadium at Falmer.

The city planning committee last night delivered their verdict on it, which was an emphatic 11-1 vote in favour.

Councillors from all three parties backed the scheme in principle while only Tory councillor David Smith voted against it because he did not have enough details.

Now the council and the club must knuckle down and sort out the details that were worrying Coun Smith and several other speakers.

These include ensuring there will be proper public transport to the stadium and solving traffic problems on the road to Woodingdean.

It's possible the final decision may be taken out of the council's hands if the Government calls for a public inquiry But that hasn't happened yet and the Highways Agency has pronounced itself largely satisfied with the transport implications.

There is still a long way to go but no one should doubt the determination of a club that came back from the dead to win championships in successive seasons.

Albion fans may yet achieve their dream of seeing the first stage of the community stadium up and running by the 2004/5 season. It's a tall order but it's not impossible for the soaring Seagulls.