Planners at an inquiry into Brighton and Hove Albion's proposed new stadium heard how there would not be enough land near the ground for fans to park their cars.

Opponents of the controversial scheme at Falmer predicted problems as thousands of fans parked nearby on match days.

They said a Football League survey found 67 per cent of supporters going to matches in England and Wales travelled by car.

Robert White, representing Lewes District Council at the public inquiry into the plans, said about 11,000 car Parking spaces would be needed for the proposed 22,000-seat stadium.

He said: "There is not enough land to accommodate that level of car parking at this site."

Albion said its plans to make at least two-thirds of supporters at Falmer use public transport were realistic and could be delivered.

Transport expert Mark Leigh, giving evidence for the club on the fifth day of the Hove Town Hall hearing, said the stadium would not have a detrimental effect on the transport network.

He said transport could not be controlled as well at any of the other sites floated as alternatives to building at Village Way North.

There would be match day parking at the University of Sussex campus, Falmer High School and at three park-and-ride sites.

Mr Leigh said only vehicles carrying more than three fans would be able to use the car parks.

Parking controls would be introduced at Falmer village, Moulsecoomb and on roads nearby.

He said extra buses and trains would be laid on and 3,000 people would be able to leave Falmer railway station within an hour of matches ending, rising to 8,000 if the platforms were extended.

Away fans would be encouraged to arrive at the stadium by coach or rail.

Mr Leigh said less than half of fans now arrived at Withdean by car, which he described as a "massive achievement" and a better record than any other football club.

He said about 75 per cent of supporters used sustainable methods of transport to attend matches, a figure which includes drivers using park-and-ride.

He said: "What we are seeking to do is manage that demand for travel from the outset. We have already demonstrated that at Withdean."

Mr White said a Brighton and Hove City Council survey found only 55 per cent of fans going to Withdean used sustainable methods of transport.

He said car use would be encouraged at Falmer because the stadium was isolated and there was no direct bus link to large parts of Brighton and Hove, or direct trains from Mid Sussex.

He said: "Withdean as a stadium is a much smaller stadium than Falmer, with a capacity for 7,000.

"Withdean is also located within the conurbation of Brighton, rather than the edge of Brighton."

Planning inspector John Collyer said yesterday the inquiry was likely to overrun into a seventh week.

His report and recommendations will be sent to the Government in the summer.

A final decision is not expected until September or October.