A council's decision to challenge the Falmer stadium planning permission in the High Court could be overturned by a panel of its own members.

Lewes District Council's scrutiny committee will meet on Thursday to decide if there is a case for the decision, taken behind closed doors by the cabinet last November, to be reviewed.

The investigation is being made following a request from Firle resident and Albion supporter Ed Bassford.

If the group of five councillors finds the decision was taken improperly or procedures were not followed correctly it could recommend to the council or cabinet that it be reconsidered.

Mr Bassford said: "It's a bit of a long shot but at least it is a foot in the door and means the way the decision was arrived at will at least be scrutinised by a supposedly non-political body of the council.

"It is a chance for a lastminute reprieve to stop this council wasting our money by pursuing this costly Judicial Review against John Prescott's planning permission.

A large number of local residents are against the decision it was made without a public debate.

"In any case the council's grounds for appeal have already been overturned by the House of Lords in a test case involving the Pembrokeshire National Parks inquiry, which said building on an area of outstanding natural beauty can be permitted if it brings social and economic benefits to a deprived area."

The council says it has a duty to pursue the judicial review in its role as guardian of the countryside and has pledged it will not commit any more than £25,000 of public money.

But the football club's own legal experts have warned the cost of the legal challenge could rise to abount £160,000 if the council loses.

The district council has disputed a claim from Albion directors that, if unsuccessful, it would have to pay legal costs of the club and Brighton and Hove City Council.

If the scrutiny committee, made up of two Tory and three Lib Dem councillors, decides the decision was made properly and fairly a High Court hearing is expected in June.

Meanwhile the club insists the hard work of preparing the £50 million construction of the stadium will press ahead without delay.