A nightclub owner says he will battle on after his £2.5 million expansion was dashed by councillors who said the design looked like something made from Lego.

Ali Kosari, who owns the Babylon Lounge on Hove seafront, hoped to renovate the nightspot, almost doubling its capacity.

The proposed building, in Western Esplanade, featured purple walls and was praised by planning officers at Brighton and Hove City Council, who said it should go ahead.

But the scheme was turned down by members of the planning committee yesterday.

Mr Kosari, 28, who lives in Hove, said he would appeal.

He said: "I paid good money and I got a great design.

"Some of the councillors do not have a clue what they are talking about.

"We are aiming at everyone aged 25 to 65 who enjoys a relaxed evening out."

The club would also have had a restaurant and bar and hold cabaret nights.

The development would have increased the venue's capacity from 536 to 936.

The application prompted objections from more than 450 people who feared noise and disturbance in the early hours.

Senior planning officer Ian Coomber said: "This significantly contributes to the seafront and moves on the design agenda for the city."

Nevertheless, the design proved unpopular with members of the committee.

Councillor Lynda Hyde said: "This reminds me of Lego blocks.

"I shudder when I hear this will update design in the city."

Councillor Carol Theobald, the Conservatives' planning spokeswoman, said: "This is all cement and building blocks."

Francis Tonks was among the minority of councillors who supported the design and argued the current building was "tatty".

Residents living near the nightspot say they are already disturbed by revellers spilling out of the club.

They feared the police would not be able to respond to trouble in Hove because they would be busy dealing with Brighton's nightlife.

The expansion plans included adding another floor to the building, which would double the space available.

Hove Civic Society and conservationists also objected to the scheme, claiming the tall building would overshadow the area.

Sussex Police expressed fears that increasing the capacity of the club could lead to disturbance and called for better management.