Brighton and Hove Albion’s expansion plans are back on track as they agree a deal over a disputed piece of land and reveal that plans for its new training ground are ready for submission.
A joint statement by Brighton and Hove Albion and Brighton and Hove City Council was issued last night which outlined the minority Green administration’s softened stance towards the club’s 8,000 seat expansion of the American Express Community Stadium.
As the announcement was made at a full council meeting last night the club also confirmed that planning applications for its Lancing training ground and the additional seats are ready for submission to Adur District Council and Brighton and Hove City Council respectively.
A tussle broke out last week over land earmarked as a temporary car park for the Amex.
Sources claimed Brighton and Hove Albion were promised the site at the former Falmer High School in Brighton three years ago by the previous administration and without it the club’s expansion plans were at risk.
The Argus revealed the Green group on Brighton and Hove City Council wanted to market the land itself to get a better “commercial deal” for the taxpayer.
But after pressure from The Argus and political rivals the minority administration relented and agreed for the club to demolish the existing buildings and consider creating a car park.
The joint statement from council leader Bill Randall and Albion’s chief executive Martin Perry issued last night said: “The council remains committed to helping the Albion to increase the Amex stadium capacity by 8,000, realise its ambition to bring Premiership football to the city, increase the number of jobs and training opportunities at the stadium and continue with its hugely valuable community work across the city and elsewhere.
“At the same time we recognise the council has a duty to realise the best value for the site.”
Read the full story in today's Argus.
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