Brighton and Hove Albion's Falmer dream may finally come true after opponents dropped their fight against the stadium.

Falmer Parish Council and the South Downs Society both said they would not launch another legal challenge against the Government's decision to grant Albion permission to build the 22,500 seat arena.

Falmer parish councillors, who courted controversy last week when they barred The Argus from a public meeting on the stadium, said the ground would have a "huge impact" on the village.

Today's news is seen as the club clearing the final hurdle in its decade-long quest for a new home, after Lewes District Council had earlier decided to concede defeat in its opposition to the proposals.

Champagne corks were popping across Sussex today as supporters celebrated the news.

Albion chief executive Martin Perry said: "This is fantastic. The main opponents have now all decided to accept defeat. Now we look to move forward, and we will do that with great haste.

"It also opens the door for us to talk to both Falmer and Lewes councils and ensure the development works for them as well as us.

"This stadium will be something the whole community can enjoy and be proud of. We are on our way to Falmer."

Over the past decade Albion fans have taken part in countless demonstrations and marches, written thousands of letters and even sent flowers to Government ministers.

Paul Samrah, the chairman of the Falmer For All campaign, said: "I am delighted. This is a momentous day for the club and everyone behind the stadium.

"I would like to thank Martin Perry and Dick Knight along with all the thousands of supporters who have backed us and never given up.

"Fans of every league club have backed our fight and now justice has finally been done. It has been a long time coming but the end is finally in sight.

"Now the time has come for all sides to work together and build bridges - although hopefully those bridges won't need planning permission."

The club will not be officially in the clear until September 4 - the Government's deadline for any appeal.

Falmer parish councillors decided to concede at a meeting on Tuesday night after taking legal advice which warned any appeal was unlikely to succeed.

Melanie Cutress, the chair of the council, said: "It is now clear from our legal advice that the Government is utterly determined to grant planning permission for the stadium, despite the acknowledged damage it will do to the landscape and the environment of Falmer.

"It has undoubtedly become a political decision. With the possibility of a snap general election in October, Hazel Blears has taken the opportunity to shore up the vote for the three Brighton and Hove Labour MPs who all have fragile majorities.

"Granting planning permission for the stadium goes against long adopted national and local planning policies, but the Government will continue to grant planning permission if we continue to challenge. We do not have a limitless stream of money to support a continued fight.

"Therefore, reluctantly, we have decided not to challenge the decision. It is going to be a very hard future. There can be no doubt that a stadium will have a huge impact on Falmer.

"Our greatest fear is that once development. begins where will it end?"

Other opponents warned they would keep a close eye on the development to ensure it met a string of conditions imposed by the Government.

Jacquetta Fewster, the director of the South Downs Society, said "Our volunteers have campaigned tirelessly for many years, but it is clear to us that further action by those who hold our countryside dear is futile in the face of the Government's determination.

"We will keep a close watch on this site. The developers have been instructed to fulfil certain conditions and the society will ensure that these are met."

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears approved plans for the £50 million stadium last month. Ms Blears was the third minister to oversee the planning application, which became the longest ever endured by a British football club.

The original decision to grant permission, made by John Prescott in October 2005, was quashed in the High Court after it was revealed he made a mistake in the wording of the document.

Albion now hope to kick off the 2010/11 season in their new home.