However, the stadium's opening has been put back to August 2011.

Chairman Dick Knight explained the delay, saying: "This was not a decision that was taken lightly. We were already working to an extremely tight timescale, and factors beyond our control - namely the updated and new planning applications we have to get passed because of new legislation, and timing access problems to part of the stadium construction site - will delay us by several months.

"Therefore we have reluctantly made the decision to put the project back by one season.

"Let no-one be in any doubt. The stadium is going ahead and supporters will see us on site by the end of the year."

Buckingham have recently built the highly regarded 30,000 seat MK Dons stadium and members of their team have previously worked on Reading's Madejski Stadium and at Old Trafford for Manchester United.

Work will start in December on the widening of Village Way which has to be completed before the bulk excavation of the main stadium site can commence.