The long-awaited ruling on plans for a new community stadium for the Seagulls is expected today.

A decision has been made by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and everyone involved will be told within hours.

Today's judgement comes after a long-running investigation into plans for the 22,000-seat stadium at Village Way North in Falmer.

The public inquiry was ordered by the Government after Brighton and Hove City Council had granted approval.

In another inquiry held into the local plan, which included the site, the inspector ruled against the Falmer stadium proposals.

It is believed the inspector who held the Falmer inquiry may have come to the same conclusion.

Mr Prescott has taken far longer than expected to deliver his decision on the stadium.

It is unusual for a minister to go against the decision of an inspector and this can be open to legal challenge.

The delay may have been caused by him taking expert legal advice to ensure any decision taken is watertight and not open to challenge.

There has been complete secrecy over the decision and none of the parties has been told anything in advance.

Ken Bodfish, leader of the council which backed the stadium at the inquiry, confirmed the imminent announcement and said: "We await the result with bated breath."

Albion were backed by many sports and business organisations who believe the stadium will be good for the city.

However, there was strong and sustained opposition from conservation organisations and people who live in Falmer. The Seagulls are currently playing at a temporary home in Withdean Stadium, which has a small capacity and is essentially a running track.

On Sunday last week, thousands of fans braved rain for a victory parade as the club celebrated its third promotion in four years.

In May, Albion were promoted from Division Two after winning the play-off final at Cardiff.

Falmer was chosen from a list of other possible sites in the city including Shoreham Harbour, Brighton station, Waterhall Valley, Toad's Hole Valley and Sheepcote Valley.

Experts advised the club and council these sites either were not available or had far bigger disadvantages than Falmer.

Conservative MEP for the South-East Richard Ashworth has also recently added his weight to the pro-Falmer campaign following a meeting with club chief executive Martin Perry.

He said: "I am strongly in favour of the community stadium at Falmer.

"I played rugby at Withdean many years ago and it is simply just not good enough for a Division One football team. Leeds, for example, are going to be allocated just under 800 seats for their match and I suspect they may need more.

"The alternative just doesn't bear thinking about. The club may even be forced to ground share outside the city, which I do not find acceptable at all.

"Albion's proposals have been very thorough. They have spent a small fortune on this planning proposal."

Monday July 26, 2004