In a week when news headlines such as "Ticket mayhem", "Albion's proposals delayed" and "Support for stadium" kept the topical Falmer arguments well stoked, a line from the back page of The Argus (March 21) appears to prolong the controversy.

Brighton and Hove football club do not expect to be moving from Withdean before 2005-6. This piece of kindling adds fuel to the fire.

Motivation to promote key subject matter has understandably originated from the football club while Brighton and Hove City Council reaction has been on the back burner.

Before a decision on the planning applications arises, the amended local plan in the vicinity accepted an alternative site.

Thus far the Countryside Agency tinderbox increased the flames and we realised what natural beauty meant when it became a source of dispute.

Negotiations with the universities over what is proposed at Falmer and protracted public inquiries concerning the area of South Downs generally are fanning the conflagration.

I assume, in time, Secretary of State intervention within the big National Park debate could eventually extinguish the pyre.

Although in endeavouring to get out more, on the hills I'm beginning to get lost in the smokescreen.

-F S Cole, Beechwood Avenue, Brighton