Albion should not be allowed to put its case for the Falmer stadium a second time, the South Downs' oldest conservation group has claimed.

The Society of Sussex Downsmen said there was nothing in new representations by the club that had not already been aired at last year's inquiry.

Graham Fuller, who chairs the society's Falmer working party, said it was wrong the club was being allowed extra time because it had failed to persuade a planning inspector to back the stadium.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott gave the club the chance to respond to a report by inspector Charles Hoile, who appeared to rule out building at Falmer after an inquiry into new Brighton and Hove City Council planning guidelines.

Mr Hoile said a provincial city's football club was not of national importance and the proposed site at Village Way North was too small for the planned stadium.

He said in his report there were a number of potential alternatives.