Albion fans campaigning for a new stadium say its design would mirror the curves of the South Downs and be in harmony with the surroundings.

A group called Fans of the Earth (FOTE) is also planning to plant a tree to show supporters' commitment to the environment.

FOTE said building at Falmer, on the outskirts of Brighton, would benefit the club, the people of Sussex and the surrounding countryside.

Organiser Trevor Watson said the group fully supported the planned South Downs national park but there had to be room for some appropriate development.

He said: "In our view, limited development in countryside areas can be acceptable, as long as its purpose is leisure and recreation and its design is environmentally sound.

"The community stadium at Falmer fits the bill perfectly. The new stadium would occupy just 25 acres out of the 395,000 acres of the proposed national park.

"The site is bordered by depressing, concrete university buildings on one side and the busy, noisy, six-lane A27 on the other.

"Our task, as environmentalists, is to persuade other people who love the countryside that this development can flourish to everyone's benefit, while complementing and even enhancing the surrounding landscape."

Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer for All campaign, said: "The structure will be set into the natural slope and its design embodies aesthetic, sculpted rooflines, whose curves mirror those of the downland.

"Extensive planting of trees will improve the appearance of the surrounding area while adding visual screening.

"Combining stunning design with minimal land usage will produce a beautiful structure in perfect harmony with its surroundings."

Keith Taylor, convenor of Brighton and Hove City Council's Green group, said a new stadium was needed but FOTE was ignoring many of the problems of building at Falmer.

He said: "The impact would be severe in terms of landscape, visual impact and the lack of transport infrastructure. It is difficult to understand how these comments can be made."

The club has submitted a twin planning application to the council to build at either Village Way North or Village Way South.

The former site is outside the draft boundary of the proposed national park, while the latter is inside. Both are inside the existing Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty.

FOTE will plant a beech tree at the Albion's temporary home at Withdean to replace one that blew down a year ago.

Mr Watson said the tree symbolised the club's rebirth since the almost fatal blows of recent years.

Meanwhile, the Albion has launched a poster campaign to support its bid to build a new stadium at Falmer. Fifteen posters are being displayed at prominent sites in the city over the next three months.

Albion chairman Dick Knight said the campaign would highlight the key messages while the council considered the club's planning application.

He said the stadium would boost the economy, creating new jobs.

He said: "Not only is the stadium stunning and an important new sporting venue badly needed in the city, it is very important for the city and we want everyone to believe in the vision."