The public inquiry into Brighton and Hove Albion's Falmer stadium bid reopens tomorrow with a tour of nine possible alternative sites.

Planning inspector David Brier will preside over what the club and thousands of football fans hope will be the final round of a seven-year fight for a new ground.

Tomorrow's tour will take in sites at Brighton station, Coral Greyhound Stadium, Shoreham Harbour, Sheepcote Valley, Toad's Hole Valley, Withdean and Waterhall.

Two extra sites - land at Shoreham airport and Upper Beeding - have been newly added to the list of alternatives.

The club hopes it will be third time lucky after twice failing to convince Government planning inspectors that Village Way, Falmer, is the right place for the 22,000-seat, £48 million facility.

John Prescott gave hope to Albion fans by refusing to rule out Falmer despite the damning judgements of two of his most senior inspectors. Instead he ordered the inquiry to be reopened to iron out the remaining issue: Is there another suitable site in the city?

The club, backed by The Argus and Brighton and Hove City Council, argues that while not perfect, Falmer is the only site that comes anywhere near satisfying John Prescott's nine-point criteria for the new stadium.

Each alternative will be judged on the following grounds:

  • Is the site in Brighton and Hove?
  • Is it available?
  • Is it big enough?
  • Is it accessible by road and public transport?
  • Would building a stadium be affordable?
  • Would it be safe?
  • Are there any prohibitive planning issues?
  • What is the environmental impact?
  • What is the visual impact?
  • Paul Samrah, chairman of the Falmer for All campaign, said: "We are looking for a short and sharp inquiry which we believe will not miraculously reveal a 'promised land' alternative site. Such a site does not exist."

He said the two new options, Shoreham airport and Upper Beeding, were non-starters due to prohibitive costs and lack of transport infrastructure.

He added: "Any decision other than yes (to Falmer) will kill the club. It's as simple as that.

"There is no way the club can afford another public inquiry into another site."

Albion chief executive Martin Perry says the scheduled four weeks may not be long enough to complete the hearing at Brighton Town Hall and fears the eventual decision will be delayed until after a general election.

Some 30 witnesses are due to give evidence, either in support of or opposing the various sites.

Falmer Parish Council hopes to convince the inspector that one of the brownfield sites would be preferable to the land in the village, which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Spokeswoman Melanie Cutress said: "We want an unbiased and objective inquiry which takes into account all the evidence."

Lewes District Council has set aside £60,000 to fight its corner at the inquiry. A spokeswoman said: "We would have preferred Mr Prescott to have made a decision based on the overwhelming case against Falmer heard at the inquiry in 2003."

Mr Perry said: "The club has carried out detailed analysis of all of the sites and it confirms the original findings of both the club and Brighton and Hove City Council - that the land at Village Way is the best available site."