It’s already looking like the 2012/13 season will be one to remember for Brighton & Hove Albion fans and club bosses were dealt a further boost yesterday with the news that their plans for a new, state-of-the-art, training complex have been approved.

Adur District Council’s planning committee gave the green light for the club to begin work on the £29 million training ground, which will be based on open land near New Monks Farm in Lancing. In stark contrast to the battle Albion faced with plans for the Amex, this time councillors took just 90 minutes to make up their mind.

The club plans to begin work on the site towards the end of next month, with completion on the complex already pencilled in for Winter 2013. The site will include eleven outdoor pitches, five of which will be used for the first team. The other six will be for dedicated use by the club’s development and academy squads.

Like the American Express Community Stadium, Brighton’s training ground will be distinctive in appearance. The Y-shaped building will be two storeys high and the deco is inspired by the De La Warr Pavilion in nearby Bexhill. Inside, players will enjoy an indoor pitch, gym and physiotherapy rooms.

Speaking after the decision, Brighton and Hove Albion director Martin Perry said: “It is a massive decision for the club. It’s a big step forward and we look forward now to developing the site as quickly as we can for Gus and the boys.”

Brighton currently sit first in the npower Championship, with their next game coming at home to Ipswich Town tonight. The new complex will be a huge boost for the club as it bids to become a sustainable force for years to come, and should help bring through the cream-of-the-crop in young British talent.

We all know that Roy Hodgson could do with some more of that!

Here’s an artist’s impression of the club’s new training complex.