Albion chief executive Martin Perry has hit back at claims made by the Campaign to Protect Rural England that Albion's proposed new stadium at Falmer is an 'assault on the rules that protect our precious countryside'.

He accused the CPRE of using the stadium's high profile to grab the limelight for self-publicity. He said, "The site at Falmer is no idyllic and peaceful beauty spot.

"The stadium will be sandwiched between the two university campuses, the railway line and the A27 dual carriageway. A large part of the site is brownfield.

"Yes part of the land is officially an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, but this classification was made over forty years ago and anyone who takes the time to actually visit the site will quickly realise why it is set to be de-designated.

"I fear that the CPRE have jumped on the stadium site to grab headlines because it is currently a major story within the local and national media - rather than for the site's alleged beauty.

"If Falmer is typical of the nine sites 'under threat', then there is no way they can be described as jewels in the crown. The CPRE is displaying an attitude that says 'don't build anything anywhere'.

"The CPRE also suggests we should look at other possible sites. In the six years the CPRE has been fighting against the development they have failed to identify an alternative site. No wonder the public inquiry showed that there aren't any.

"They, like anyone who is aware of the history of this saga, will know the exhaustive process we have gone through both with the local council and national government to identify other possible sites."

Perry added, "Neither the City Council or the Government have 'assaulted' the rules. They found that the stadium met the tests for development within an AONB and correctly permitted it."

"Land in the UK - and particularly Brighton & Hove - is scarce and it has to be used wisely but this does not mean it should not be developed. Some areas should be protected but in some cases the benefits of the development will outweigh the loss of undeveloped land.

"It is a judgement call which local authorities and the Government are entitled to make, and in this case they got it right."