Falmer offers a unique opportunity for Brighton and Hove Albion to build a much-needed new home, a public inquiry has heard.

Jonathan Clay, representing the club at the inquiry, said there was no viable alternative to building the 22,000-seat arena at the Village Way North site.

Staying at Withdean and continuing to play in the lower divisions, as suggested by some opponents, was a vision of "staggering myopia".

In his closing statement to the inquiry examining the scheme, he said: "It is remarkable such a site exists at all in so constrained an urban area, caught between sea and Downs.

"Its availability at this time presents a unique window of opportunity."

Mr Clay said the stadium would be a well- designed, world-class facility and the club did not expect to apply for further planning permissions for enabling developments.

He described the project as the biggest single boost to Brighton and Hove's economy in the last decade and said opponents had missed the plot by complaining local people would be unable to take part in sports. The stadium would be a place to watch sporting heroes.

The inquiry ended after eight weeks yesterday. It will reconvene for two weeks in October to consider revisions to a linked coach park and highway works.

All the latest on Falmer Stadioum at thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/falmer