A countryside watchdog has come out against Albion's plans for a new stadium.

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board planning committee decided to ask Environment Secretary Margaret Beckett to look at proposals to build a new stadium in Falmer.

The committee voted ten to two to "strongly object" to both proposed sites at Village Way North and Village Way South.

Members also agreed to invoke the board's right to speak when Brighton and Hove City Council considers the applications at a meeting expected to take place in the new year.

They will advise the planning committee that the Environment Secretary should make the final decision on the stadium following a public inquiry.

Albion has submitted two planning applications for the stadium to the city council.

One is for the original site at Village Way North and the other is further inside the Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) at Village Way South.

Members of the board agreed the proposed development would be contrary to national, regional and local planning guidance, which aims to protect AONBs from development.

They felt a stadium at Falmer would dominate the eastern approaches to Brighton and Hove and would be visible over downland as far away as Ditchling Beacon.

The board was not satisfied there were no alternative sites and it was concerned the Albion would eventually have to apply for further development to sustain it.

Martin Small, planning officer for the conservation board, said: "It was a lively debate and almost every member had comments to make and queries on the proposed development.

"It was eventually agreed the board would oppose the plan."