Brighton and Hove Albion will pay for the new community stadium if it is ever built on a site near Falmer and that could top £25 million.

The city council was expected to get away with paying nothing since it is not directly concerned with the venture.

It passed the controversial project in principle at a meeting of the planning committee in June.

But leading councillors tomorrow will be asked to approve paying £250,000 from a special emergency fund for its costs.

The main reason is that since the planning decision was made, the Government has ordered a public inquiry into the stadium.

It will start next February and because the council has taken a line on the stadium, it will have to be represented and put its case.

The cost of inquiries, especially long ones, can be immense. The council will have to justify its stand in minute detail. This will all take time and trouble.

There is an argument, being looked at by the Government, to fast track the public inquiry system so each hearing does not become a bureaucratic nightmare where the main winners are lawyers.

It would be a good idea at inquiries to look at the broad issues first over a shorter period so decisions could be made more quickly. But until that is done, the old system remains and the council has to go along with it.

It means the people of Brighton and Hove, whatever their views on the stadium, have to pick up a big bill.