This article by Albion chief executive Martin Perry originally appeared in the Southend edition of the matchday programme.

Now we have passed the challenge period unscathed, are thoughts are turning towards what we need to do before we can start work building our new stadium. This falls into a number of different areas of activity.

DESIGN
The original planning application was submitted seven years ago and since then the needs of supporters have changed and their expectations - having been to so many fine new stadium -­ have risen. Already our architects and design team have been instructed to review the internal layouts and make sure that they meet those aspirations.

During the early part of this year we carried out a detailed soil investigation to enable our structural engineers to start work on the detailed designs of the foundations and main structures of the roof. In addition we have appointed mechanical and electrical engineers ME Engineering Services who recently designed all the mechanical, electrical and safety systems in the O2 Arena -­ inside the Millennium Dome.

They have started work on the lighting and environmental design to meet the latest standards including specifications to meet the requirements for the television companies to broadcast in high definition.

Then there is the issue of ensuring that the layouts comply with the latest building regulations relating to safety at sports venues; and meeting the requirements of the Safety Advisory Group. The group has already been formed - chaired by Brighton & Hove City Council -­ and includes members of Sussex Police, East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, the Ambulance Service, the Football Licensing Authority and the club.

The planning permission contains a number of planning conditions. These are quite normal and were negotiated at the Public Inquiry. They fall into three parts: conditions which have to be met before we start on site; those which have to be met before the stadium in opened for use; and conditions that will apply when it is being used. The first part of the process is to ensure that the two authorities - Brighton & Hove City Council and Lewes District - are satisfied that the conditions relating to detailed design approvals have been met prior to us starting on site.

FUNDING
We have always had a business plan, which identified the various sources of funding for the development. However, we cannot secure those funds until planning permission is firmly in our grasp. The club has employed financial advisers Price Waterhouse Coopers who put together the funding for Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. They will be working with us to secure the various funds so that we can pay for the stadium.

LEGAL AGREEMENTS
Whilst more than a third of the £3.5m has been spent on lawyers' and barristers' fees there is still more to go. Almost every aspect of the development has to be tied up in some form of legal agreement. The lease on the land; the bank loans; the funding from public sector bodies, such as the £5.3m grant awarded by Seeda a few weeks ago; and the design and construction contracts will all be encapsulated in legal agreements to ensure the interests of the club and stadium company are properly protected. Work cannot start until these agreements are in place.

CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS
The construction contract is going to be let in two parts: the bulk of the highway works, including the flyover adjacent to Southern Water and new access into Sussex University - all of which is being paid for by Seeda -­ is going to be procured by Brighton & Hove City Council. The football club will initially appoint the design consultants and then 'hand them over' to the council to carry out the work.

The main construction contract, which includes the stadium and the bus and coach interchange, will be procured through a two-stage design-build tender process. The club will shortly be inviting expressions of interest to tender for the work through the construction press. The wide publicity that the planning process has been given will ensure that there will be a great deal of interest from the major contractors -­ especially those who are experienced in building football stadia.

There is much to do before we can start on site -­ but we have a team already in place who are up to the task. The city council has put in place a project team to ensure the smooth running of the project. Now, we just can't wait to get going!