The Albion's proposed new stadium should be built on derelict land next to Brighton station, a report to countryside watchdogs says.

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board is being advised to object to a proposed redevelopment of the site.

The land should instead be allocated for the new stadium, members of the board's planning committee will be told on Monday.

A report to go before the committee says the case against building the stadium at Falmer would be weakened if alternative sites such as the station were lost.

The board is also set to formally object to the 22,000-seat stadium itself. The proposed site in Village Way North is inside an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

The comments come in the board's response to the Brighton and Hove local plan, the document that will guide planning policy for the next ten years.

Board member Paul Millmore said the plan did not recognise the Government's decision to make the South Downs a national park and its development proposals were "inconsistent" with protecting the AONB.

Brighton and Hove Council environment cabinet member John Ballance said all comments made during the consultation period on the local plan would be considered.

Meanwhile, councillors have given a planning brief for the station site the thumbs-up, despite opposition from the public gallery.

The New England Consortium, which includes site owner Railtrack and supermarket giant Sainsbury's, said it would soon put in a planning application for the site.

Opponents, led by campaign group Brighton Urban Design and Development, promised a long and hard battle ahead.

The brief includes a hotel, hundreds of homes, workshops and, controversially, a supermarket.

The council and consortium believe the store is needed to make the multi-million pound project viable.

Environment cabinet councillor John Ballance said: "It is important that we should seek to make this large derelict site part of the present and the future."

Ben Messer of BUDD said: "A supermarket would bring extra traffic into the area. If one is required it should be put on the London Road instead."