A cricket fan who says she is one of Sussex's biggest fans fears her passion for the club may prevent her from saving it.

Averil Older is a councillor on the planning committee that could decide the club's future on Wednesday.

The team is running at a loss and says it has to develop its Gilligan stand to afford to be able to stay at the 167-year-old County Ground in Eaton Road, Hove.

But town hall planning officials say the scheme would represent overdevelopment and have recommended that councillors reject it.

Hove MP Celia Barlow sent members of Brighton and Hove City Council's planning sub-committee emails on Friday, petitioning them to accept the proposals and save the ground.

As a season ticket holder, Coun Older said she was unable to vote on the club's future because she has a prejudicial interest.

She said: "I'm fuming. They have been trying to get this through for two to three years now and have worked so hard with the council, yet its been recommended for refusal.

"We know developers are queuing up for that piece of land but the council should be protecting it at all costs.

"And coming on top of the King Alfred, the reasons they have given for turning this down - being that its overbearing and detrimental to the neighbouring properties - all the things they ignored with the King Alfred, I couldn't believe it.

"It's such a historic ground and an oasis of green in the middle of Hove, why on earth would we not help them?"

Sussex is the holder of the County Championship trophy and experiencing the most successful period in its history but directors said it had been making a loss for five years.

The proposed developments would renovate the southern end of the ground with two new stands and a landscaped entrance, as well as a club shop, offices and nine flats.

Officers are objecting to one of the stands, on the south-west side of the ground, which would be six storeys high.

But Ms Barlow reminded councillors the ground was "an important sporting resource in Hove" in her email.

She told The Argus: "It would be a tragedy if the cricket club decided to relocate. I'd hate to see it go.

"It would be such a shame when we are trying to get more young people to play sport, to lose it."

Committee chairman Les Hamilton was also a club member last year but has not yet renewed his membership for next season.

He said his personal interest was not substantial enough to stop him voting at the meeting.

But Coun Older, at Eaton Road yesterday to watch a friendly match, said: "I've obviously had to cut myself off from the decision but it's good to see Celia Barlow getting involved "For once I totally agree with her and I'm very glad she's done it.

"If they can go against policy for the King Alfred why not here? It's a minor application comparatively and has such a wealth of heritage.

"The reasons for refusing it don't stack up."

The club wants to use a £10 million legacy from former vice president Spen Cama to help finance the redevelopment Supporters fear some of the clubs players, many still playing in the World Cup, may leave if the proposals are refused. Others believe the club could move to Crawley.

Gus MacKay, club chief executive, said: "If we don't redevelop we'll continue to lose money and the club will be lost in 15 years time.

"It's important we have this development to ensure our future success and survival."

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