Housing has been approved in principle for a key site despite doubts about the design.

Brighton and Hove city planners were unanimously in favour of the scheme by Rydon Homes for a site in West Street, Brighton.

There will be 64 homes, 19 of them affordable, shopping, a food and drink outlet, offices and a live/work unit.

There will be 46 parking spaces, fewer than originally proposed.

Approval will be subject to a legal agreement, including contributions towards improving West Street, artwork in the development and recreational improvements in local schools and St Nicholas playground off Church Street.

Labour councillor Kevin Allen wanted to know why only 30 per cent of the homes would be affordable when the council was proposing 40 per cent in its draft Local Plan.

Development control head Maggie Brian said that it would be unwise to propose 40 per cent before the proportion had got approval or not at a public inquiry later this year.

Labour councillor Leslie Hamilton said: "This is a site absolutely begging to be developed and the scheme will be an imaginative use of it."

Conservationist John Small said there were reservations about the design of the scheme which has a wide gap between two curved buildings at the West Street entrance and an open courtyard behind.

He said the opening was mainly for a car park, yet people would be unable to walk through the development to Middle Street.