Work at the Lee-on-the-Solent site was set to start before the end of September after being approved by Gosport Borough Council in July.

But because of administrative hold-ups, work isn't going to get under way until the end of October – at the earliest.

Peter Storrie, the club's chief executive, said: 'We still have a lot of paperwork to get through and are still waiting for environmental reports and things like that which take a lot of time.

'These things just take longer than you expect but we hope to get everything sorted out and start quite quickly – within a month hopefully, so the delay shouldn't cause a problem at all.'

The 35-acre training complex, opposite the Cherque Farm estate, will include 10 full-size pitches, two mini pitches and a three-quarter-size pitch.

There will also be an 18,000sq ft building which will house changing rooms, medical facilities and a gym. It will be almost 10 times the size of the club's current Eastleigh training ground.

Gosport Borough Council, which approved the club's planning application unanimously, said the site was ready to be developed.

Council leader Dave Smith said: 'These hold-ups aren't a problem at all. They are free to move in whenever they want and start work.

'We are looking forward to work on the complex starting and can't wait to welcome the club, as the facilities are great news for Gosport.'

Pompey looked to Lee-on-the-Solent after a planning application to build a training ground close to Titchfield Abbey, Titchfield, was rejected earlier this year.

The club has agreed to build two full-size pitches for community use and the indoor facilities will be available for schools in the Gosport area.

The centre will create 14 new permanent jobs and Pompey will help to fund visitor facilities for the Alver Valley Country Park, which will be built next to the site.