A Government design watchdog has strongly backed Brighton and Hove Albion's plans for a stadium at Falmer.

The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe) said it was impressed by the way the stadium would blend in with its surroundings.

The club has submitted two planning applications for a 22,000-seat stadium at Village Way North or Village Way South.

Both sites are in areas of outstanding natural beauty and on the edge of the proposed South Downs national park.

A commission spokesman said there was huge potential for the stadium to become a notable landmark but added there was scope for further refinements.

He said: "There is an opportunity here to promote and use the stadium to make a positive contribution to the environment.

"The team are to be praised in their ambitions to promote high levels of public transport and recycling of water to tend the pitch."

The spokesman said more could be done, however - for example, using the stadium roof to generate solar power.

The commission's support and comments were welcomed by Albion chief executive Martin Perry.

He said: "We have spent a lot of time and money making sure this building does fit into its landscape.

"We have had a lot of objectors, including Falmer Parish Council, who keep telling us it is going to be an eyesore.

"This demonstrates an independent body has looked at it and appreciates the efforts we have gone to make sure it blends with its surroundings in a sympathetic way."

But Tom Carr, chairman of Falmer Parish Council's stadium committee, criticised the commission's view.

He said: "It may be a nice building architecturally and could look impressive in the city next to buildings of a similar size and scale.

"But it is not of a scale and size that will fit in with a national park."