Tax payers could be faced with a £100,000 bill to rerun a public inquiry on house-building targets.

Conservatives on Lewes District Council have accused the ruling Liberal Democrats of ignoring advice and risking another hearing to win seats at next year's local elections.

Lib Dems rejected the claims, saying they were completely untrue.

A planning inspector warned the council's planning blueprint did not allocate enough land for the number of new homes expected to be built before 2006.

Tories said the ruling group should have accepted the inspector's advice and included a site for houses in Ringmer and reduce the number of new homes planned for Newhaven.

Tory leader Keith Moorhouse said there had already been two inquiries into the local plan, costing £280,000.

A third would mean a bill of £80,000 to £100,000.

He said: "The Liberal Democrats are in complete disarray.

"To save their political skins at the next election and try to prevent some major development taking place in Ringmer, they were challenging the inspector's advice."

Council leader Ann De Vecchi said the council's target of 90 new homes a year in Newhaven was achievable, making the Ringmer site unnecessary.