A government decision on the controversial King Alfred development has been delayed.

Brighton and Hove City Council gave the £290 million Frank Gehry development the go-ahead last month, but Ruth Kelly, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, must also approve the plans.

An announcement was expected on Monday but the Government Office for the South East (GOSE) has said Ms Kelly needs more time to consider the proposal.

Councillor Brian Oxley, leader of the Conservative Party in the city, has opposed the scheme since its inception.

He said: "It is good that they are having a thorough review of it but there is a great deal of uncertainty and we need a prompt response."

The Hove seafront development has proved particularly divisive, and was only passed by the planning committee on the casting vote of the chairman.

While the Lib Dems and Labour have backed the scheme, the Conservatives have consistently opposed it.

The Greens have become increasingly uneasy with the proposal after the number of homes planned for the site rocketed.

The GOSE acknowledged receipt of information from the council on April 3 and was expected to take 21 days to respond.

But the Government office then issued an Article 14 notice, saying a final decision would take longer than expected.

Formal planning permission cannot be granted without Ms Kelly's approval and GOSE now expects the decision to be made within a month, according to a council spokesman.

City council environment director Jenny Rowlands said: "The letter is a formality issued when more time is needed.

"It confirms what everyone knows - that permission cannot be issued without Ms Kelly's approval. Nothing can be read into it.

"Our planning committee voted for the scheme on March 23 subject to the agreement of the Secretary of State.

"We just have to be patient and wait for that."

In another development, minutes of the King Alfred planning meeting will not now be published until after the election.