Opposition to stadium lines up

The issue will be the subject of a public inquiry in Hove Town Hall, which starts on February 18 and could last up to eight weeks.

The county council acknowledges that the football club needs a new stadium and recognises the significant social and economic benefits it could bring to the area but considers that Village Way, Falmer, is an inappropriate location for it because of its adverse environmental impact on the Downs and the village.

There are also concerns about transport impact on the area. The county council therefore considers the applications should be refused because they contravene national, structure plan and local plan policies in these respects.

It doesn't consider the justification has been made to locate such a major development in the countryside and does not believe its impact could be adequately mitigated.

Glenn Oliveros of Mealla Close, Lewes, wants to know how much local authorities are spending on paying expensive lawyers and meeting other overheads in Hove next month.

A county spokesman responded: 'We are submitting written evidence to the inquiry but are not appearing in person.'

Lewes District Council is a major objector for a whole raft of reasons related to the environment, development in an area of outstanding natural beauty and the impact on the residents of Falmer.

A spokesman said: 'The council has decided to have legal representation at the inquiry as it raises major issues for the area and because it is the local planning authority for one of the two 'planning applications.

'A provisional budget of 35,000 has been allocated for this. The district council is aware that planning inquiries happen from time to time and therefore it budgets for such an eventuality.'

Cllr Andrew Small, Lewes District Councillor for planning, said: 'Public enquiries are expensive and when local authorities have taken a stance on a planning issue they have to be prepared to carry it through.

'We will present a professional case and the costs are the minimum required to maintain the reasons for refusal that we have given.