Albion chiefs today described a High Court attempt to challenge plans for a Falmer football stadium as an annoyance.

Lewes District Council has said it intends to set aside £65,000 to block John Prescott's decision to build the stadium.

That is the price councillors estimate they will have to pay if they lose their legal battle, following the £207,000 they have already spent fighting the Yes vote.

However, Seagulls chief executive Martin Perry said the club was forging ahead with plans to build the £50 million stadium and the council's action could do little but delay it.

Mr Perry said: "Our confidence hasn't been shaken at all by Lewes District Council's challenge - it is an annoyance but it's no more than that.

"Their tactic is to try to delay us. That's all they can possibly do. It is an appalling use of public money. The only power the court has got is to defer the decision back to John Prescott.

"They're not going to get away with destroying this club by stalling this stadium. Myself and chairman Dick Knight have got this far and we're not going to give up now.

"The delay will depend on how quickly we can get the case into court. The fact is, every game we lose at Falmer is costing us money.

"But our investors are looking at it very much as we are. They just want us to get on with the stadium."

Lewes District Council has until Thursday to formally lodge its appeal to overturn John Prescott's backing for Falmer.

MPs from all over the country have backed a Westminster campaign condemning the council's efforts to block the stadium's development. Eighteen have so far backed Des Turner's Early Day Motion criticising the waste of council tax payers' money.

However, a council spokeswoman said there would be no going back for Lewes since the council cabinet decided to launch the appeal.

She added: "Because that was the decision taken on November 24, that's it. There will be no debate on it that will affect the appeal being lodged.

"That is a very small number of MPs, with no evidence that they really understand what is at stake. Remember, John Prescott's inspector said the case against the Falmer site was overwhelming. Do you think those MPs have read his report?"

The council has committed £25,000 to fund the legal challenge, with Falmer Parish Council promising another £30,000.

The remaining £10,000 the council believes the appeal is likely to cost has been pledged by the South Downs Society and the publicly-funded Joint Committee for the South Downs.

The joint committee, financed by government organisations such as the Countryside Agency and English Nature, as well as local authorities, is committing £5,000.

Martin Small, planning manager, said: "We have been assured by Lewes District Council that there are reasonable grounds for appeal so we feel justified in committing these funds.

"We would like to win the challenge but even if we lose but achieve some legal clarifications on the planning consent we will be fairly satisfied.

"We do not want to stand in the way of the football club but this planning permission has national ramifications for protected landscapes, national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty and it needs to be tested."