Councillors have insisted they are giving their total support to Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for a new stadium.

However, they said the stadium would not be built until all parties agreed on a sound business plan and completed an inquiry into the proposal.

They pledged to start building the stadium as soon as possible.

Achieving the stadium at the Falmer site is now down to Brighton and Hove Albion and the inspector holding a public inquiry starting next month.

A special meeting of the city council policy committee approved in principle agreements with the club as owner of some of the land at Village Way North.

Planning permission was granted in June but the scheme was called in by the Government in August for the inquiry.

Culture and regeneration councillor Andy Durr said: "This is not just about the Albion but about sport in the city. We are agreeing everything in principle. But I cannot emphasise strongly enough nothing will start until everything has been signed, sealed and put together.

"It is something we want, the University of Brighton (which also owns part of the land) wants and the city wants. Whatever happens from now, we have completed our side of the bargain on the stadium.

"It will not come together until the financial side has been put together and the inquiry finished."

Tory opposition leader Brian Oxley said: "We cannot support the club unless we take some hard-headed decisions.

"We need to ensure there is a sound business plan and that all the resources have been assembled."

Green convenor Keith Taylor said he wanted to see a report by consultants Deloitte and Touche testing the business case before agreeing to anything.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry said: "We are delighted by the will of the council to see the community stadium succeed."

He said the business case was evolving but money could not be finally put into place until planning permission was achieved. The safeguard was the development would not proceed until everything was in place.