Just what on Earth is Lewes MP Norman Baker up to (The Argus, October 12)? I understand the words he uses but am absolutely baffled by what he is saying.

No matter which way you slice it or dice it - and Norman is doing his best to spin it and twist it - Sheepcote Valley was one of the main alternatives to Falmer championed by Falmer Parish Council and Lewes District Council.

As part of the reopened public inquiry, the club was asked to look at alternative sites, including Sheepcote Valley, and that is what it did.

Mr Baker will recall Brighton and Hove Albion did present evidence at that inquiry - under cross examination - and the inspector's report and Prescott's decision letter both state the applicant (the Albion) agreed Sheepcote Valley was the only site other than Falmer at which a stadium was affordable.

However, the inspector ruled out Sheepcote Valley as a site where a stadium could achieve planning permission for a number of reasons.

The most important factor is there would be a significant risk of traffic problems, as there is no reasonably sustainable transport infrastructure in place.

There is no railway station in this part of East Brighton, unlike the one at Falmer, so a stadium at Sheepcote Valley would remove the choice of using the rail network and therefore increase the number of cars.

Any vehicles using the A27 would take the B2123 past Falmer village and would then clog up the Woodingdean junctions at Falmer Road, Warren Road and Wilson Avenue.

We all know if the Albion hadn't undertaken this level of detailed evaluation, Baker would be on his high horse crying foul.

  • Adrian Newnham, Chichester Drive West, Saltdean