Parking issues at the American Express Community Stadium could be resolved by next week.

This week Lewes District Council gave permission for a 650-space car park to be built next to the stadium, while on Wednesday Brighton and Hove City Council is expected to allow Albion to use Brighton Racecourse as a park and ride.

But concerns remain for some residents that the plans will cause traffic congestion and see fans parking in residential streets.

At a meeting on Wednesday, Lewes district councillors gave permission for Bennett’s Field, off Village Way, to be used for three years as a car park for up to 650 cars.

Residents and Falmer Parish Council expressed concern over the impact of hundreds of cars using the country lane but neither the Highways Agency nor council officers objected to the plans.

This coming Wednesday, Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning committee will consider an application from Albion for a 700-car park and ride at Brighton Racecourse.

The site would be used alongside park and ride sites at Mill Road and the University of Brighton to create 1,570 park and ride spaces.

Officers have recommended the application is granted despite concerns from residents that fans will simply park in residential streets.

East Brighton councillor Gill Mitchell said: “The residents feel they get enough disruption from markets at the racecourse and are concerned how this extra pressure on parking in the area will affect them.

“The top part of Queensway is already suffering from parking congestion because of the extension of AreaH and doesn’t need any more cars trying to park there.

“It is important the club gets the message out to both its own fans and those visiting the city that they must not park in residential areas.”

Projections by the club show they expect about 4,000 people to use park and ride facilities for events at the 22,500-seater stadium but that more than 7,000 are likely to park somewhere else and walk to the ground.

The club’s chief executive Martin Perry said: “We have operated sites like this around the city for 12 years and have done so extremely successfully.

“We send away supporters a very detailed list of instructions, which clearly sets out where to park.

“But the majority of visiting fans choose to come in coaches, so I don’t anticipate a problem there.”

Mr Perry added that Sussex University has also agreed to use part of its car park for events at the stadium.