Government tramples on local residents stadium concerns

12.52.16pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 2nd Nov 2005

The green fields on which the stadium will be built.

Planning permission for a new 22,000 seater stadium to host Brighton & Hove Albion has been granted by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. The decision has been made despite strong protests from local residents in Falmer where the stadium will be built and strenuous opposition from both the Lib Dem District Council and local MP Norman Baker.

Although in agreement that the team requires a new stadium, local Lib Dem campaigners remain convinced that Falmer is the wrong location for it to be built. They can ask for a judicial review to take place which could still put the brakes on the project. Local Lib Dem District Cllr Neil Commin said:

"Two independent and highly experienced planning inspectors agree with us and it's difficult to see how the Deputy Prime Minister can ignore their recommendation."

"His own government has issued planning guidance designed to protect Areas of Natural Beauty and National Parks against this sort of development."

"We'll be studying his letter in some depth to see how he justified his decision."

Opposition to the development is also backed by the local Lib Dem MP Norman Baker who added, "This decision has been made purely for political reasons rather than on planning grounds."