Campaigners opposing the Albion's proposed stadium at Falmer said it would devastate surrounding areas as a public inquiry began its closing session today.

The club requested a two-week extension to the inquiry in the summer after struggling to reach agreement with the University of Brighton, which owns about a third of the site.

The university has now agreed to back the project on condition improvements are made to ensure extra traffic created by the 22,000-seat stadium does not affect its operations.

The club proposes turning part of Village Way into a dual carriageway and adding a roundabout at the junction with the B2123.

The club's barrister Jonathan Clay told the hearing at Hove Town Hall the improvements would have attracted little interest had they not been linked to the stadium bid.

Chief executive Martin Perry said: "The application itself is all on land that we had originally included within our application, so we were going to develop it anyway. The fact is the environmental impact is minimal."

But Robert White, representing Lewes District Council, one of the chief objectors, said: "The harm to the area of outstanding natural beauty by the (stadium) proposal would be devastating. The new access arrangements would compound that harm."

The road proposals are also opposed by Falmer Parish Council and the Sussex Downs Conservation Board.

Planning inspector John Collyer expects to be able to hand his report to the Government before the end of the year.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's department will make the final decision on whether the stadium can be built.