Brighton and Hove Albion has no independent evidence to back up claims Falmer is the only safe site for a 22,000 seat stadium, say opponents.

Campaigners against the plan told a public inquiry into the scheme Falmer would need similar work to all the other suggested sites to make it safe for large football crowds.

The club's safety expert, former Metro-politan Police chief superintendent Richard Hebberd, told the hearing yesterday Falmer was the safest site.

Mr Hebberd, in charge of policing more than 300 big games in the capital, said he had major concerns about redeveloping Withdean and significant infrastructure work would be needed at other sites, such as Waterhall or Shoreham Harbour.

But Robert White, representing Lewes District Council, said: "There is no independent evidence from the police or any other public safety body."

Superintendent Peter Coll, of Brighton and Hove Police, said there were concerns about policing crowds at Falmer.

He said the concerns had not been sufficient to trigger a formal police objection to building the stadium at Village Way North.

Mr Hebberd said the club could not make fans stagger the times they left after matches, a tactic that would be needed at a 22,000-seat stadium at any urban site in Brighton and Hove.

Charlie Hopkins, representing Falmer and Rottingdean parish councils, disputed the claim, saying Arsenal had agreed to hold back 15,000 fans after games at its proposed 60,000-seat north London stadium while crowds dispersed.

Objectors told the seventh day of the Hove Town Hall hearing the Falmer area could be overrun by traffic on match days or when events such as pop concerts were taking place. Plans to control parking would hinder local people.

Some 120 stewards would be used to patrol the area around the stadium when large events were taking place, double the number used at Withdean.

Stewards would prevent vehicles from using some parking areas but could not stop or direct traffic on public highway.

Planning inspector John Collyer will send his report and recommendations to the Government in the summer.

A final decision is not expected until September or October.