A senior conservation watchdog has been told it is burying its head in the sand by opposing a new community stadium at Falmer.

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board voted overwhelmingly to object to Brighton and Hove Albion's proposed new home and asked ministers to hold a public inquiry if it wins planning permission.

Only Brighton and Hove city councillors Brian Fitch and Brian Roe voted not to oppose the stadium.

The watchdog said building at Falmer would be contrary to national planning policy and the stadium would dominate the view for miles.

The Albion has submitted two planning applications, one at Village Way north and the other at Village Way south.

Mr Fitch said: "It is planned as a community stadium, which is far more than a ground for Brighton and Hove Albion. I just think it is sad the board is burying its head in the sand."

Fellow board member David Neighbour, who sits on East Sussex County and Lewes District Councils, said it would be hypocritical to support a South Downs National Park and build a stadium at Falmer.

He said: "I think we need to protect Brighton and Hove from itself."

The watchdog also wants large parts of the Downs to be outside the new national park.

It decided by one vote that hundreds of acres of land around Midhurst should be excluded. Members also recommended Lewes should not be within it.

Critics claimed the decision meant the watchdog only wanted the chalk escarpment, described as a 100-mile sausage, to be included in the park's boundaries.

Board member Paul Millmore said: "By voting to exclude the towns and the area to the north of the chalk, they were not acting in the best interest of the Downs."

The park itself is not expected to be created until 2006.