prob old news but FYI
Albion fear election will delay Falmer verdict
by Rob Hustwayte
John Prescott's verdict on the Falmer stadium proposal is likely be delayed until after a general election, Brighton and Hove Albion fear.
Club chief executive Martin Perry said the reopened public inquiry into Falmer was likely to take much longer than the planned four weeks due to the number of witnesses.
He added: "It is a worry for us. The longer the inquiry goes on the closer we get to a possible general election.
"The inquiry is a laborious process and there are something like 30 witnesses due to appear to give evidence and be cross-examined.
"It is highly unlikely we will get through it all in four weeks with all these anti-Falmer witnesses coming out of the woodwork.
"When the hearing is finished the inspector takes four to six weeks to prepare his report and deliver it to the Secretary of State.
"If press speculation is correct the Prime Minister could call an election any time around that period - May 5 has been mentioned - meaning Parliament would be suspended."
The club's dire financial situation means it urgently needs a Government green light for the 22,000-seat stadium so it can start raising cash.
The Deputy Prime Minister was expected to deliver his verdict last July but instead reopened the inquiry to investigate alternative sites to Falmer including Withdean, Sheepcote Valley, Corals Stadium, Toad's Hole Valley, Waterhall Valley, Monk's Farm and Upper Beeding. Mr Perry added: "It all depends on when Tony Blair decides to go to the country and how quickly we can proceed with the inquiry.
"Everyone knows how desperate we are for the stadium and any delay is a potential problem.
"We need the stadium for the survival of the club and do not want anything to stop it.
"If there is a new Secretary of State that will inevitably delay the decision because they will need to get up to speed on the issue."
Fans are already concerned about the timing of the verdict after a Conservative MP said John Prescott will reject the stadium bid if Labour is re-elected.
Wealden MP Charles Hendry said in a letter to a constituent: "It is my understanding, from talking to Labour MPs, that they expect the Deputy Prime Minister to reject the new stadium proposals after the election."
The letter has been circulated on the Albion fan website North Stand Chat.
Mr Hendry's assertion was immediately shot down by Hove Labour MP and Falmer stadium supporter Ivor Caplin.
He said: "It's utter rubbish and a complete and utter fabrication.
"The inspector will report in the usual way to the Secretary of State and he has a duty to make a decision on planning grounds.
"No decision has been made in advance.
"I wanted the inquiry to take place as quickly as possible and pushed for the beginning of January but Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council lined up a number of witnesses who had nothing to do with the original inquiry as a disgraceful and outrageous delaying tactic which has elongated what should have been a very short piece of work.
"Nobody knows for sure when the election will be held. All we have heard is press speculation."
Mr Caplin said he hoped the verdict could be delivered before an election.
The public inquiry reconvenes at Brighton Town Hall on February 1.
The first day will be spent visiting the sites before the interested parties such as the club, Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council, outline a summary of their evidence.
The club, represented by barrister Jonathan Clay, will then begin calling witnesses, starting with Martin Perry.
Mr Perry was not concerned that a change in Government would affect the verdict.
He said: "The Tories at Shadow Cabinet level have given substantial support to the Falmer scheme and we would hope it would have no impact on the outcome of the application."
A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said she could not predict how long the reopened inquiry will run for or comment on when a verdict may be delivered.
Charles Hendry was unavailable for comment
Albion fear election will delay Falmer verdict
by Rob Hustwayte
John Prescott's verdict on the Falmer stadium proposal is likely be delayed until after a general election, Brighton and Hove Albion fear.
Club chief executive Martin Perry said the reopened public inquiry into Falmer was likely to take much longer than the planned four weeks due to the number of witnesses.
He added: "It is a worry for us. The longer the inquiry goes on the closer we get to a possible general election.
"The inquiry is a laborious process and there are something like 30 witnesses due to appear to give evidence and be cross-examined.
"It is highly unlikely we will get through it all in four weeks with all these anti-Falmer witnesses coming out of the woodwork.
"When the hearing is finished the inspector takes four to six weeks to prepare his report and deliver it to the Secretary of State.
"If press speculation is correct the Prime Minister could call an election any time around that period - May 5 has been mentioned - meaning Parliament would be suspended."
The club's dire financial situation means it urgently needs a Government green light for the 22,000-seat stadium so it can start raising cash.
The Deputy Prime Minister was expected to deliver his verdict last July but instead reopened the inquiry to investigate alternative sites to Falmer including Withdean, Sheepcote Valley, Corals Stadium, Toad's Hole Valley, Waterhall Valley, Monk's Farm and Upper Beeding. Mr Perry added: "It all depends on when Tony Blair decides to go to the country and how quickly we can proceed with the inquiry.
"Everyone knows how desperate we are for the stadium and any delay is a potential problem.
"We need the stadium for the survival of the club and do not want anything to stop it.
"If there is a new Secretary of State that will inevitably delay the decision because they will need to get up to speed on the issue."
Fans are already concerned about the timing of the verdict after a Conservative MP said John Prescott will reject the stadium bid if Labour is re-elected.
Wealden MP Charles Hendry said in a letter to a constituent: "It is my understanding, from talking to Labour MPs, that they expect the Deputy Prime Minister to reject the new stadium proposals after the election."
The letter has been circulated on the Albion fan website North Stand Chat.
Mr Hendry's assertion was immediately shot down by Hove Labour MP and Falmer stadium supporter Ivor Caplin.
He said: "It's utter rubbish and a complete and utter fabrication.
"The inspector will report in the usual way to the Secretary of State and he has a duty to make a decision on planning grounds.
"No decision has been made in advance.
"I wanted the inquiry to take place as quickly as possible and pushed for the beginning of January but Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council lined up a number of witnesses who had nothing to do with the original inquiry as a disgraceful and outrageous delaying tactic which has elongated what should have been a very short piece of work.
"Nobody knows for sure when the election will be held. All we have heard is press speculation."
Mr Caplin said he hoped the verdict could be delivered before an election.
The public inquiry reconvenes at Brighton Town Hall on February 1.
The first day will be spent visiting the sites before the interested parties such as the club, Lewes District Council and Falmer Parish Council, outline a summary of their evidence.
The club, represented by barrister Jonathan Clay, will then begin calling witnesses, starting with Martin Perry.
Mr Perry was not concerned that a change in Government would affect the verdict.
He said: "The Tories at Shadow Cabinet level have given substantial support to the Falmer scheme and we would hope it would have no impact on the outcome of the application."
A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said she could not predict how long the reopened inquiry will run for or comment on when a verdict may be delivered.
Charles Hendry was unavailable for comment
