Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club (BHAFC) announced that Buckingham Group has appointed to build its new stadium at Falmer, Sussex.

It was also revealed, however, that the opening of the 22,500-seat stadium has been put back to August 2011 due to planning delays. Buckingham, which has been involved in work at Reading's Madejski Stadium and Old Trafford in Manchester, has been selected to build the new stadium, and it is now hoped work can begin in December.

Since leaving the Goldstone Ground over a decade ago, BHAFC has played its home games at the Withdean Stadium while trying to find a new permanent home. The Falmer project was approved by communities secretary Hazel Blears in July 2007 but has been delayed by planning and legal issues. BHAFC chair, Dick Knight, said: "I know the delayed opening will come as a big disappointment to our supporters, but it is simply unavoidable. We were already working to an extremely tight timescale, and factors beyond our control will delay us by several months.

"Let no-one be in any doubt. The stadium is going ahead and supporters will see us on site by the end of the year." The club's chief executive, Martin Perry, said: "The appointment of the contractor is the next big step for the project. After all the hard work and campaigning, at last work is due to start and Bickingham has the experience for the job."