Councillors have rejected calls to investigate how Brighton and Hove Albion's planning application for a stadium at Falmer was processed.

Greens fear the decision to back the plan was premature and have suggested some details of the scheme were not fully examined.

Green councillor Pete West told Brighton and Hove City Council's overview committee a scrutiny review should be held into the procedures followed when the Albion's plans were submitted.

The application for a community stadium was approved in principle by the planning committee last month.

Coun West said the application was premature and was decided early for political reasons. The business case was not independently examined.

He also said the planning officer's recommendation was changed to fit the policy of the council.

However, officers said the recommendation before councillors was based solely on professional advice about the planning merits of the proposal.

City services director Paul Hart said in a report officers paid regard to the council's policy of having a community stadium at Falmer and this was proper.

Officers recommended approval of the scheme but felt the coach park should be placed in a more acceptable location.

The process of assessing the business case was still ongoing and a further report would be made to councillors.

Mr Hart said another report would be produced on the legal agreement following planning approval in principle, while the scheme could still be called in for approval by the Government.

Coun West said the committee's decision was predictable, adding: "My concerns are also relevant to how the council handles other large and contentious planning applications in the future."

Afterwards, former council leader Lord Bassam accused the Green Party of trying to sabotage the Albion's stadium bid.

He said: "They have had their own Albion political agenda from the start and have adopted a succession of spoiling tactics to get their own way."

Lord Bassam, a Government whip, said Greens had consistently opposed the Falmer site and were now using council procedures to scupper the bid.

He said: "The Green Party won't be satisfied until it has driven the final nail in the coffin of the Albion bid.

"It has ignored the democratic wishes of a local referendum, ignored the evidence of a massive community petition and continued to use and abuse the council machinery to blow the Albion bid out of the water.

"In this it is showing contempt for the wishes of local people, the massive number of football fans in Brighton and Hove and finally the very planning process it has in turn praised, derided and then boycotted."

Lord Bassam said Greens should work with the fans and the club to gain the best possible deal for everyone, including those concerned about the environment.

Coun West said: "We support the Albion but not this stadium on this site. We are concerned about the application and its viability."

The overview committee also rejected councillor West's calls for a probe into Brighton and Hove City Council's pension fund investment policies.

We revealed earlier this year that the East Sussex Pension Fund invests in some companies involved in the arms trade and the tobacco industry.

It acts for more than 50 organisations, including the city council, but Brighton and Hove has little influence over where the money is invested.