Brighton and Hove Albion FC has been given the green light to build its proposed 22,374-seat stadium at Falmer in Sussex.

On receiving written consent for the planning application from secretary of state Hazel Blears, chief executive Martin Perry said: “This is fantastic news for the club. It’s something many of us have worked tirelessly towards for the last eight years – but it isn't green for go just yet.”

“We will have to wait until early September to see whether the decision is challenged by our opponents.”

Lewes District Council can now mount a legal challenge to the decision in the High Court.

However, if no further disputes are declared, Albion will move on to the next stage – securing investment for the £50m project.

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has already committed to investing £5.3m in the new club, as part of its £23m redevelopment package for Brighton and Hove.

SEEDA’s chief executive Pam Alexander said: “Our support for the community stadium in east Brighton will not only have significant benefits for the local community in terms of infrastructure but will also help to open up other opportunities for investment which will themselves generate further jobs in an area of serious disadvantage.”

Perry added: “Preliminary work will begin in September. The design team will be instructed to proceed with the preparation of tender documents, applications for funding will be made and the complex legal agreements with the various stakeholders – including the University of Brighton and Brighton & Hove City Council – will be concluded.”

Preparatory work is anticipated to take around 6–12 months, with work starting on site in autumn 2008.

Construction of the new stadium will take two years, in a bid to open the venue for the start of the 2010–11 football season.