* by Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer For All Campaign

THESE days, there is much talk about the environment - but we should consider it in terms of the community whose environment it is.

And what of the community at Falmer?

It has a railway station with trains running every 15 minutes. Buses run to the city centre. Taxis ply their trade.

There are banks, shops and a daytime population of more than 10,000 people. The permanent population runs into several thousand. There is an arts centre, an innovation centre, a leisure club and a library.

This is no ordinary village - villages typically have a dearth of facilities, ever-reducing public transport services and failing shops.

Lewes District Council's web site states: "Cut in two by a busy dual carriageway and dominated by Sussex and Brighton universities, this pretty village on the Brighton border has managed to retain its identity.

"Tucked away from the massed buildings and teeming students is an ancient church and mellow cottages clustering around a beautiful village pond."

I agree. the church and cottages are indeed tucked away and the pond is very beautiful, despite the woeful lack of control over car parking.

There is Falmer village and there is Falmer - the bustling community.

The proposed stadium would no more affect Falmer village than the universities have. The objectors claim there would be noise, football hooligans and litter.

The stadium would operate seven days a week and fans would have to be penned in for up to two hours to catch a train after matches.

Some people will recall similar hysterical outpourings from the campaign group Sweat against Brighton and Hove Albion playing at Withdean.

But looking at that experience, none of these absurd claims have been realised.

The crowds have behaved in almost exemplary fashion and there is simply no rational reason why we should not continue our thoroughly responsible behaviour at Falmer.

There were many objections to the development of Brighton Marina when it was first mooted but the positive impact it has brought to the community is there for all to see.

Without vision there would have been no marina, no Jack & Jill Windmill, no Lancing College, no Goodwood Racecourse and no Royal Pavilion.

We must give the next generation the chance to watch and participate in local sport at a community stadium.

Not at Falmer village, mind, but at Falmer.