Sections of the Withdean Stadium as Albion fans remember it are set to remain – despite its new tenants not immediately being there.

As Brighton and Hove Albion prepares for its first game on Saturday in its new American Express Community Stadium, Brighton and Hove City Council is set to approve a raft of changes to the club’s former home.

Planners state the alterations, which include keeping two stands as well as a 100 space car park, will enhance “one of the city’s major sporting venues”.

But one of its major tenants, Brighton-based Whitehawk Football Club, will not be moving the stadium for another 12 months.

Mark Turner, the club’s regeneration director, said: “We had an arrangement with the council that Whitehawk would go to Withdean for two seasons.

“But once that was agreed we had a problem with the Ryman League.

“We then agreed with the league that all the g round improvements [at current home The Enclosed Ground] would be done in one season.

“We intend to get everything in writing with the Ryman League and will move in there (at Withdean) for the 2012/13 season.

“The council is fully aware of our problems.”

The Withdean Stadium in Tongdean Lane, Brighton, was home to the Seagulls from 1999 to this summer.

It shared the g round with three athletics clubs – Brighton and Hove, Phoenix and Arena 80.

The local authority has submitted the application to allow Whitehawk FC and Albion’s reserve and women’s team to play their games at the stadium.

The plans to permanently retain the 900-seat west stand and two turnstiles alongside the permanent 1,300 north stand have been recommended for approval by the council’s planning team.

A decision on the proposal, which includes retaining the players’ lounge and changing rooms for a period of three years, will be made by the local authority’s cross-par ty planning committee.

Ward councillor Ann Norman said she wanted to speak to her residents about the decision to retain the west stand.

She said: “What we want is to get it back to amateur sport.

Athletics has suffered in the past 12 years.

“There is a history at the stadium. Steve Ovett and Sally Gunnell have trained there.

“Prior to the temporary seating that was put in it was very quiet and it is quite a rural area in an urban surrounding.

“I think the residents of Shepherds Croft particularly have been inconvenienced.”

The planning meeting will take place at 2pm on Wednesday in Hove Town Hall.