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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Brighton's stadium gets go-ahead | Brighton's stadium gets go-ahead |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| Brighton and Hove Albion FC has been given the go-ahead to build a 22,000 seater stadium in Falmer. | Brighton and Hove Albion FC has been given the go-ahead to build a 22,000 seater stadium in Falmer. |
| Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears gave the project planning approval on Tuesday. | Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Hazel Blears gave the project planning approval on Tuesday. |
| The League One side, who currently play at the Withdean Stadium, have been without a permanent home since 1997. | The League One side, who currently play at the Withdean Stadium, have been without a permanent home since 1997. |
| Chief executive Martin Perry said: "This is fantastic news for the club. It's something many of us have worked tirelessly towards." | Chief executive Martin Perry said: "This is fantastic news for the club. It's something many of us have worked tirelessly towards." |
| He added: "But it isn't green for go just yet. We've already had one false dawn; as our supporters already know all to well we have been here before. | |
| All the hurdles that have been put in our way we have overcome Adrian Newaham, The Seagull Party Seagulls' stadium saga | |
| "At the moment what we do not know is if our opponents are planning a further legal challenge, which could cause more delays." | "At the moment what we do not know is if our opponents are planning a further legal challenge, which could cause more delays." |
| In 2005 the club thought it had won its battle to build the arena, but an error led to the decision being quashed. | In 2005 the club thought it had won its battle to build the arena, but an error led to the decision being quashed. |
| The planning application for a new ground on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, has been through two public inquiries. | The planning application for a new ground on land north of Village Way, in Falmer, has been through two public inquiries. |
| It was opposed by some residents, the parish council, Lewes council and conservation groups because of its proximity to the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. | It was opposed by some residents, the parish council, Lewes council and conservation groups because of its proximity to the South Downs, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. |
| Changes announced earlier this month to the boundaries for a South Downs National Park mean a stadium coach park at Falmer no longer falls within the proposed park. | Changes announced earlier this month to the boundaries for a South Downs National Park mean a stadium coach park at Falmer no longer falls within the proposed park. |
| Possible appeal | |
| Supporters from the Falmer For All campaign formed The Seagulls Party to field candidates at local elections. | Supporters from the Falmer For All campaign formed The Seagulls Party to field candidates at local elections. |
| Adrian Newaham, deputy leader of the party, said: "This decision says yes to all for parts of the plan. | Adrian Newaham, deputy leader of the party, said: "This decision says yes to all for parts of the plan. |
| "It's a fantastic piece of news for the club. All the hurdles that have been put in our way we have overcome. | "It's a fantastic piece of news for the club. All the hurdles that have been put in our way we have overcome. |
| "It's the only place for the stadium and it's the right place for the stadium." | "It's the only place for the stadium and it's the right place for the stadium." |
| South Downs Society director, Jacquetta Fewster, said: "The decision to build this stadium is completely wrong. | South Downs Society director, Jacquetta Fewster, said: "The decision to build this stadium is completely wrong. |
| "The area has been described as the most beautiful of all the English chalk country. | "The area has been described as the most beautiful of all the English chalk country. |
| "This decision opens the way for this beautiful landscape to be destroyed, entombed under breeze block and concrete," she added. | "This decision opens the way for this beautiful landscape to be destroyed, entombed under breeze block and concrete," she added. |
| Falmer Parish Council said lawyers would be looking at the documents to see if opponents could appeal against the decision. | Falmer Parish Council said lawyers would be looking at the documents to see if opponents could appeal against the decision. |