Lewes District Council has refused to back down on Falmer and lodged a High Court appeal against the stadium permission 24 hours ahead of today's deadline.

Pro-stadium campaigners were hoping to persuade the council to drop its legal challenge by presenting a 5,165-signature petition before a meeting yesterday.

But they were too late and the fate of the 22,000-seat Brighton and Hove Albion stadium will now be decided by a judge.

The council broke its silence to issue a robust defence of its anti-Falmer stance.

A statement said: "John Prescott blundered when he ignored his own inspector, who said that the case against Falmer was overwhelming.

"If John Prescott is allowed to throw away long-established planning policies on a whim, the South Downs are under threat from urban sprawl.

"He crumpled under pressure and delivered a decision full of holes."

Albion fans descended on yesterday's full council meeting at Pelham House, Lewes, in search of answers after the cabinet's behind-closed-doors decision to appeal against the Secretary of State's planning permission.

Police officers guarded the gates and filmed members of the public arriving.

Council leader Ann De Vecchi refused to speak but Councillor Neil Commin, cabinet member for planning, answered a barrage of questions.

He rated the council's chance of High Court success as "reasonable to good".

Coun Commin assured council tax payers the appeal would cost them no more than £25,000, and said he would resign before committing any more money.

He promised to call for a swift court hearing and said he would accept the judgement.

He said: "This is not a frivolous action by the council. It is costing a Band D council tax payer only 68p in a year.

"This is not a popularity contest. We are doing this because we believe it is right. It would be iniquitous if the council did not pursue this action.

"We can't pick and choose what should be built on an area of outstanding natural beauty. I fully understand the passions on the other side but I ask that our position be respected."

Coun Commin said a survey by The Argus, which found 74 per cent of 242 Lewes district residents disagreed with the council, was unreliable.

He said: "I do not believe the majority of tax payers are against us.

"The mandate the council has is to defend planning policies for the protection of the South Downs and the character and separate identity of Falmer village."

Falmer For All chairman Paul Samrah said: "Why they could not have debated this issue in full council with the public present is beyond me.

"They have not consulted their electorate. We have and we have found them passionately opposed to the council. It is in the wrong and it will lose."

Albion chief executive Martin Perry added: "We're very, very disappointed at the council but it is still full steam ahead for the stadium."

Lewes District Council is joined in its legal action by Falmer Parish Council, which has agreed to stump up £30,000, along with the South Downs Society and the South Downs Joint Committee.