A stadium at Falmer would be "obtrusive" and damage the natural beauty of the Downs, the influential Society of Sussex Downsmen says.

The society, one of the oldest environmental pressure groups in the country, says the proposal for a stadium at Falmer, off Village Way North, would go against Brighton and Hove Council's own planning guidelines.

The proposed 25,000-seat community stadium at Falmer would be the home of Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club.

Brighton and Hove Council has proposed the idea of a stadium in its local plan, which will be the subject of a public inquiry.

However, in its response to the first draft of the local plan, the society has published detailed opposition to the idea.

It intends to expand its arguments and vigorously oppose the application at the local plan inquiry later this year.

It says a stadium would represent a significant incursion into the downland area and cause serious harm to the landscape quality and character of the land, which has been designated an Area of Outstanding Beauty.

A spokesman said: "Because of its inherent size and bulk any stadium, however good its siting and design, would be obtrusive from a number of viewpoints and it would cause serious harm to the natural beauty of this section of the Downs.

"The intensive nature of the uses of the proposed stadium would result in levels of traffic, noise and general disturbance.

"The site is not within a built-up area and is not well served with public transport."