A community football stadium would create hundreds of jobs and help regenerate a deprived area, the Falmer inquiry heard today.

Planner Peter Rainier said the proposed 22,000-seater home for Brighton and Hove Albion would provide sporting, health and educational benefits for the city.

He said it would create 600 full-time jobs, benefit the "severely deprived" area of Moulsecoomb and inject £24 million each year into the local economy.

Mr Rainier said Brighton and Hove was the most important regional and cultural centre in the South-East outside London and it was surprising there was no stadium already.

He said: "The club has always been well supported and has the potential to draw large crowds, particularly as there are no other league football clubs within a 40-mile radius."

He said the club's Withdean home had only ever been considered a temporary solution and there were drawbacks to other proposed sites such as Shoreham harbour, which would require huge areas of car parking to be set aside.

However, under questioning from Robert White, representing objectors Lewes District Council, Mr Rainier admitted the planned location of a bus interchange near the stadium fell into the area outlined for a South Downs National Park.

The hearing continues.