Lewes DC has been accused of trying to ruin Brighton and Hove Albion Football Club, as a long-running planning row intensifies. Councillors at Lewes have decided to take their objections to a proposed 22,000-seater stadium to the High Court, despite criticism from Brighton and Hove City Council and the club. Club chief executive, Martin Perry, said: ‘We are losing £20,000 a week by not having a stadium, and the council’s motive surely is to ruin us.’ The £50m stadium has already been the subject of two lengthy planning inquiries. Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott gave the green light to the new stadium in December, but Lewes DC challenged his decision. Mr Prescott admitted making a technical error in his judgement in April but Lewes now wants its other objections to be heard in the High Court. ‘The High Court will look at each of the points in our challenge and decide whether or not they are justifiable,’ explained Lewes’ lead councillor for planning, Neil Commin. A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said the legal action was ‘a dissappointing waste of everyone’s time and money’. j.hailstone@hgluk.com
