The oldest conservation group in the South Downs has called for a public inquiryinto the Albion's plans for a new stadium at Falmer.

The Society of Sussex Downsmen said John Prescott should call in Brighton and Hove City Council's decision to give the project at Falmer planning permission.

Graham Fuller, who sits on the society's preservation committee, said the authority had been wrong to approve the club's planning application.

He said the council had a financial interest in the Village Way North site.

He said building was not allowed in areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as the South Downs, unless there were exceptional circumstances.

He said: "We understand the Albion's desire for a new stadium but an undeveloped downland site is the wrong place.

"Developments of this nature within an area of outstanding natural beauty have to be shown to be in the national interest and without alternative sites.

"We believe the proposals fail on both of these grounds."

The council's planning committee backed the proposal in principle by 11 votes to one earlier this month, subject to a raft of conditions.

The society is among a group of conservation organisations calling for a public inquiry into the proposals.