By Tim Dudding

Albion will be able to play games at Withdean until 2011 after Brighton & Hove Council today approved the club's planning application.

The council's planning committee overwhelming agreed on the matter, voting unanimously 11-0 in favour of the application.

The Seagulls can therefore continue to play home matches at Withdean until the club moves into its new home at Falmer.

Albion chief-executive Martin Perry was delighted with the council's verdict.

He told seagulls.co.uk, "This is the last time that we're going to have to apply for planning permission at Withdean.

"It secures the future of the club in the short term, and now we can continue to concentrate on delivering the new stadium at Falmer."

The planning application also allows the club to make further improvements to Albion in the Community's adult learning facilities, which are based in the hospitality suite at Withdean.

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