Tories say Brighton and Hove needs to be more dynamic so jobs and prosperity can be created.

They are suggesting changes to the economic strategy for the city drawn up by the economic partnership.

Spokesman Brian Rowe said a large number of major brownfield sites, such as land next to Brighton station, were not being developed because of planning problems.

He said: "We would also like more emphasis to be placed on the retail sector and the thriving cafe life."

Councillor Rowe added the council could help business by selling off freehold properties rather than letting them on long leases.

But the Tories are calling for Toad's Hole Valley in Hove to be kept green and not used for any development.

Opposition leader Brian Oxley said: "We want the economic growth of Brighton and Hove to be based on sound policies that not only build on the present success of local business but also allow new industries to flourish.

"We will do all we can to lift the burdens imposed by the council and we will put in place stable financial policies to add predictability.

"We also want to make the council work more efficiently to give local businesses every possible help as they compete with Worthing, Crawley and other economic centres."