Albion stadium may face challenge

LEWES District Council is expected to strongly object to Brighton and Hove Albion plans for a new football stadium at Falmer.

The council s planning committee, which meets on Tuesday, will be recommended to advise Brighton and Hove Council that the proposed stadium is contrary to national policy on development in areas of outstanding natural beauty.

And the council will demand a public inquiry, should Brighton and Hove be minded to approve the plans.

There are two planning applications, one for a stadium north of Village Way and the other for one south of Village Way.

Second Division high-flyers Albion currently play home games at Withdean Stadium in Brighton but that permission is only temporary.

Alternative sites were looked at and the view of Brighton Council was that Falmer was the best bet with its close links to universities and schools and good road and rail links.

A stadium with seating for 22,374 spectators is the centrepiece of the development with educational and business floorspace under the stands.

The application says the main aim of the design is not to hide the stadium but to provide 'an exciting structure to form a flagship building at the eastern entrance to Brighton and Hove .

However, Falmer Parish Council objects to the schemes, as do the Sussex Downs Conservation Board.

And Lewes District Council will be told by its planning officers on Tuesday: 'The proposed stadium developments are contrary to national, regional, structure and adopted local plan policy.

'The analysis of alternative sites is flawed because it outdated and has not been tested at public inquiry.

'The stadium would have a substantial detrimental visual impact in this location.

Officers also believe there would be significant noise and light generation on match days and others, traffic would be significant and the stadium would have a substantial and detrimental effect on the character and setting of Falmer village.