ALBION have started improving the pitch at Withdean Stadium, the Argus can reveal today.

The football club is footing the bill for work at the Brighton ground, which it hopes to use for three years from next season. The £12,000 scheme in progress includes replacing turf, drainage measures and levelling. But the council today stressed that the work does not mean the football club will automatically get planning permission to use the stadium. Yesterday workmen were using a digger to strip soil from the goalmouth area at the west end of the pitch. About 15 rolls of turf were lying inside the running track. Acouncil spokesman said: "Work is being done to bring the pitch up to league standard in case Albion get permission to use the ground. "Albion have agreed to pay for work. It in no way means permission is a foregone conclusion. "If we waited to see if they if they got planning permission in June, the pitch would be unusable when the season started. "If they don't get permission, it means Withdean has a much better pitch." Albion general manager Nick Rowe said: "The work needs to be done. We have always said we want to cause the minimum disruption to current users of the ground and this is the only window we have. "We are prepared to take the risk of paying for the work." Withdean resident Peter Handley, chairman of pressure group SWEAT, said: "Enhancements to Withdean Stadium as an amateur venue are very welcome, but not at the price of it being used by a professional football club."

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