Conservation watchdogs have accused Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott of bringing "the whole public inquiry system into disrepute" over the Falmer stadium controversy.

The Sussex Downs Conservation Board hit out at Mr Prescott after he refused to kick the plan into touch.

Officials insisted Mr Prescott should not have hesitated in rejecting Falmer given the damning conclusions of two senior planning inspectors.

In a 262-page report, one inspector, John Collyer, ripped apart almost every claim made in support of the community stadium at Falmer.

However, Mr Prescott chose to reject Mr Collyer's advice to immediately refuse permission for the 22,374-seat stadium near Falmer station.

Now the public inquiry will briefly reopen to determine finally whether Falmer is the best option against seven other contenders: Brighton station, Coral's greyhound stadium, Shoreham harbour, Sheepcote Valley, Toad's Hole Valley, Withdean and Waterhall.

But the board said Mr Prescott was wrong to keep Falmer in the equation, saying evidence overwhelmingly pointed to it being an inappropriate site.

In a report being debated on August 9, the board stated: "Two of the Deputy Prime Minister's senior planning inspectors have come to the conclusion, after hearing all the extensive and detailed evidence at the public inquiry, that the site proposed for the stadium and associated development is simply not appropriate, for a number of reasons.

"One has recommended the deletion of that part of a policy in the draft Local Plan allocating the site for a stadium and the other has recommended that all four applications for the overall development be refused.

"Given that situation, and particularly that the inspector that conducted the application call-in inquiry is quite clear in his rejection of the Albion's arguments and in his conclusions, the reopening of the inquiry by the first Secretary of State risks bringing the whole public inquiry system into disrepute."

Lewes Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker told The Argus Mr Prescott's stalling tactics were a cynical attempt to save three local Labour seats at the General Election.

He said: "This is the wrong decision by John Prescott, made for the wrong reasons.

"Quite clearly his inspector has said no to Falmer but he doesn't want to follow that advice ahead of the Labour Party conference and ahead of the General Election.

"So what he has cynically done is not make a decision at all.

"I think it is a disgrace. I feel sorry for the people of Falmer and I actually feel sorry for the Albion because they are now left in limbo.

"It is not a decision of any sorts. All Mr Prescott has done is kick the ball up in the air again."

The board has vowed to do all it can to convince Mr Prescott Falmer is not the best option at the reopened public inquiry.

The report stated: "If what is required to convince the first Secretary of State that the football stadium should not be located at Falmer or anywhere else in the area of outstanding natural beauty, then the board should and will produce the best case it can for the reopened inquiry."