Albion chairman Dick Knight's hopes of securing a Falmer stadium decision before the General Election were dealt a blow on the first day of the reopened public inquiry.

Planning inspector David Brier yesterday confirmed the club's worst fears when he announced it would take at least five weeks and possibly longer to get through all the evidence.

The hearing at Brighton Town Hall had initially been scheduled for 12 days but was later bumped up to 20. Now the sheer number of witnesses means it is unlikely to finish before March 9.

It will be another four to six weeks before Mr Brier makes his report on the 22,000-seat arena to the Deputy Prime Minister.

That would allow for a decision in mid-April but Tony Blair has been widely tipped to suspend Parliament before that by calling a May 5 election.

Mr Knight said: "This extension is very bad news for us and worsens the looming possibility we won't get a decision before a General Election which means further delays, further indecision and us sinking into even more financial trouble.

"We are going to be doing all we can to persuade the inspector to fix a sensible timescale and not let it drag on, which is exactly what our opponents are trying to do.

"Every day of the public inquiry is costing this club money. If we are here longer than four weeks, it will put an even greater strain on our finances.

"We are putting a strong case that the time span should be cut down to avoid repetition. All sites should be properly considered but we believe our objectors are deliberately stalling this process to try and ruin the club and have been successfully attempting to do so since the inquiry was reopened in July."

Mr Knight said the inquiry would make or break the Albion.

Mr Brier said: "Things are looking rather tight bearing in mind we may have a number of witnesses and closing submissions in addition to the ones we already know about from the main parties.

"I can't accurately predict exactly when we will finish at this stage because inquiries of this nature tend to take on a life of their own."

If the hearing drags on longer than March 9 there could be yet more delays because the council chamber at Brighton Town Hall is booked for other meetings.

A loyal hardcore of Albion fans dressed in club colours packed the public gallery as the opening submissions were made to the inquiry.

The club, represented by barrister Jonathan Clay, said two previous Government inspectors who had rubbished the Falmer plan had "misunderstood or misrepresented" key evidence.

Mr Clay said: "Their reports read in places like letters of objection - partial and hyperbolic. The club takes the view their reports are self-evidently inaccurate and unfair."