Brighton and Hove Albion will be able to have almost 2,000 more seats at their temporary ground next year.

City planners have also agreed to extend their time at Withdean Stadium in Brighton until 2005.

The decisions, subject to a legal agreement, were made 7-2 at a meeting of the planning committee in Hove.

Afterwards, town planner Paul Burgess of DMH said "The club is very pleased the city council has granted permission to increase the capacity by 2,000 seats at Withdean.

"This extra capacity will help the club to survive in the Football League until Falmer is built.

"It will provide the opportunity for supporters who, until now, have been unable to watch matches to come to games.

"The improvements to the stadium will last long after the club has left for its new stadium, providing a lasting legacy for the athletics clubs and the city.

"However, Withdean Stadium still does not meet the requirements of the Football League and does not provide the conditions for watching football that the supporters deserve.

"We trust that following the public inquiry, the club can move forward to a new modern stadium with facilities appropriate for a major city venue."

There were 3,000 letters of support and 100 objections to the Albion plan at the meeting.

Colin Hilton, for residents, said there had not been proper monitoring of conditions of the current legal agreement for the club which covers issues such as traffic.

He said 200 park-and-ride spaces proposed in future for Carden Avenue, would not be enough and would lead to objections.

He said there had been problems with broken glass, litter, trampling in a nature reserve and some threatening behaviour.

Tory ward councillor Pat Drake said the seats should be rejected and the extension granted only until 2004 so the result of the Falmer inquiry would then be known.

She said the Carden Avenue park-and-ride site was opposed by big firms such as Asda and Matalan. She said the proposed new west stand would be an unsympathetic permanent concrete structure and added: "It will be a ruination of the sports stadium for all time."

Already the Albion's use of the ground had created difficulties for athletics clubs and this would make them worse.

Tory councillor Peter Willows said there had been problems with behaviour of fans but it was essential for the club to have the seats in place.

Conservative councillor Carol Theobald said Withdean Stadium would not be able to cope properly with another 2,000 fans.

Labour councillor Francis Tonks said Withdean was not ideal but there was a need for the seats on a temporary basis.

Tory councillor David Bennett said he was concerned about park-and-ride and problems for the athletics clubs.

Labour councillor Les Hamilton said he would vote for the 2,000 seats but added: "This has got to be the last go, we don't want any more.

"They are cramming in as many as they can but we have got to draw the line."

Councillor Bob Carden, acting chairman, said he watched the fans arrive for Tuesday's game against Wimbledon and they behaved impeccably.

Afterwards Frank Burton, chairman of the Brighton and Hove Athletic Club, said the Albion had caused enormous disruption and had far exceeded their quota of Tuesday night games which clashed with training.