Brighton and Hove Albion are in a mess over the proposed community stadium at Falmer.

It has been hard enough for Albion to fight the determined resistance from neighbours and conservationists to the proposal at a long-running public inquiry.

The last thing they needed was another battle with the University of Brighton, which owns a third of the site.

But this is what Albion have got now they have asked for the inquiry to be adjourned for three months to sort things out.

The club and the university have had months if not years to end their differences and they should waste no time in coming to an agreement.

Although there are problems over access, finance and the stadium's impact on the area, they are dwarfed by the huge benefits it would bring to this part of Brighton.

No one needs reminding of Albion's parlous plight. They have just been relegated, have little cash and are in a temporary stadium at Withdean.

The longer the wrangling goes on, the longer Albion will have to stay in a stadium far too small for their needs.

There is an even bigger danger. It is that inquiry inspector John Collyer will not be persuaded everything is in place for the controversial application to be approved.