FIELD OF DREAMS

Brighton & Hove people will have their chance in May to vote on whether the club should move permanently to this site.

Both the ruling Labour and opposition Tory groups on the borough council are fully in favour.

The result should be a big Yes and the Argus will campaign to make sure there is a massive majority.

Albion have done marvellously well to survive and even prosper in their Kentish exile.

They will flourish at Withdean Stadium, their temporary home in Brighton, for the next few years.

But the only way in which they will be able to get back where they belong among the big boys of soccer is if they have a purpose-built stadium.

The Albion have huge potential. The nearest league ground is almost 40 miles away and the potential catchment area has more than two million people.

Here is a club that only in the 1980s was in the top flight of the football league.

No one will forget the epic Cup Final clash against Manchester United which Albion so nearly won.

And many will remember that at the Goldstone crowds of more than 30,000 were commonplace when Albion were playing well.

Even at Gillingham, thousands of people turn up each week to watch the Seagulls.

There's no doubt that given a good cup run or a serious promotion bid, Albion could comfortably fit 25,000 fans into a sparkling new stadium, and that would soon start balancing the books.

Falmer is a big enough site. It's available because it's owned by the council.

It's near a railway station and on a bus route. The A27 and Brighton bypass are close at hand.

There are few neighbours to annoy, unlike the folk at Withdean or even people who live near the old Goldstone Ground.

Falmer does have disadvantages, but they can be overcome.

The site is officially downland, but it is really part of a built-up area.

There could be extra traffic in Rottingdean and Woodingdean, but it should be possible to restrict that and most fans could be brought in by shuttle bus.

There will be opposition from Falmer villagers, but the worst most of them will suffer is the sounds of cheering when Albion score.

Four other sites were not suitable. Brighton Station land is too small and cramped. Coral's Stadium in Hove is not suitable for adaptation.

Land at Shoreham Harbour has big access problems and Waterhall Valley would set a precedent for building north of the bypass.

Falmer has other advantages too. The new stadium can become a centre for many sports besides football.

Hundreds of jobs can be provided next door in a high tech business park right next to the two universities.

The stadium will provide 300 jobs itself and these in a town with one of the worst jobless records in Britain.

There's a long way to go before the first brick is laid at Falmer

The full planning process will have to be gone through, ending in a public inquiry before a government inspector.

But Falmer is the only way forward for Albion.

The Argus says: Vote yes in the referendum and show Sussex we really want them back home.

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