THE battle of Withdean began today after Albion officially submitted an application to play at the stadium next season.

The plan is backed by thousands of Seagulls fans, but is opposed by many people living near the stadium. Full details of the plan were expected to be unveiled later today by the club and Brighton and Hove Council. But the Argus has learned that the club wants to stay at Withdean for three years. And plans include a temporary stand on the south side, alterations to existing seating and floodlighting. Albion hope the application will be considered in time for it to kick off the next season in Brighton. The club wants a 6,000-capacity arena at Withdean, much more than the stadium can hold at the moment. There are expected to be extensions to changing rooms, temporary toilets and offices, and turnstiles at the eastern end. The current park-and-ride car park would be moved to a site behind the tennis courts. But the club is expected to want many supporters to come in by new park-and-ride buses from sites at Lewes Road and Mill Road. The Bring Home the Albion campaign says that the plan will be good news for the club and the town. Spokesman Adrian Newnham said the club would only use the stadium about 25 times a year. Meanwhile, residents opposed to the application are taking legal advice from specialist lawyers about their campaign. Peter Handley, chairman of the pressure group SWEAT, said the move would inhibit the use of the stadium for other sports. It would cause traffic problems and there would be pollution from additional cars in the valley. Mr Handley added: "It will have a disastrous effect, not only on the community, but also on the use of Withdean as a community sports centre. SWEAT has written to councillors calling on them to postpone any consideration of leasing the stadium to Albion until full traffic and environmental reports have been prepared. Brighton and Hove Council said that full consultation is planned with residents and users of the stadium once the plans had been examined and made ready for display. Exhibitions of the proposals will be held at Withdean and at both Hove and Brighton town halls. Officials hope that it will go before the planning committee early in June.

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