IT’S a complete no brainer!

That’s the defiant message from Martin Perry, executive director of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, ahead of Wednesday’s controversial Ikea vote.

Councillors will have a final vote on the proposed development at New Monks Farm, Lancing, after putting off their decision at a previous meeting in July.

Now Mr Perry - the brainchild behind the Albion plan - has made a plea for the project to finally be given the nod.

He said: “We have never let people down and we don’t intend to do it this time. This whole area would be developed anyway at some stage but we feel passionately that we should be given the chance. We should all be proud to have the prospect of Ikea on our doorstep and the economic impact of this would be nothing short of eye-watering.”

Mr Perry points to other benefits of the 142-acres scheme:

- 875 new jobs

- 600 homes, of which 30 per cent will be affordable housing

- 25 hectares country park

- New roundabout on the A27

- Land for a school and a community hub.

He said: “Brighton and Hove Albion has already invested £152 million in the Amex Stadium and the Elite Football Performance Centre at Lancing.

“Those two projects created more than 1,000 full time jobs adding £170 million to the local economy.

“This scheme will inject a projected £11 million into the regional economy and will also help to secure the future of Shoreham Airport.

“It will see Lancing High Street thriving and also take 108 local people off the housing list.

“Ikea would be open by 2021 with the first new homes being built by next year.”

Mr Perry acknowledges some of the main opponents, including Friends of the Earth and Tim Loughton, MP for East Worthing and Shoreham.

But he accuses them of ‘nimbyism.’

Mr Perry said: “I genuinely believe that most people are in favour.

“This will improve Lancing and put the area on the map.

“We will be creating badly needed houses and creating not just jobs but good quality ones.

“Ikea are a good employer who are committed to paying the living wage to staff.”

Mr Perry is delighted that councillors are being advised to approve the plan by council officers.

But if the answer is no, then he said an appeal will be submitted.

He said: “We are confident that any arguments based on transport, flooding, drainage and the cycle path are flawed.

“The only other issue then would be that people would be able to see the development from the South Downs National Park.

“Well, if you weigh the two up - seeing the site from the park or the massive advantages of our plan - then it has to be a complete no brainer.”