Councillors have refused to formally rule out a park-and-ride site on a downland beauty spot.

Last night Brighton and Hove Council decided to opt for a "criteria-based approach" in its on-going search for a suitable location for a park-and-ride development.

But environmentalists failed to persuade councillors to formally rule out Waterhall north of the A27 from future plans.

Around 20 demonstrators gathered outside Hove Town Hall yesterday to fight the park-and-ride proposals before a meeting of the council's policy and resources committee.

The meeting was called to approve the first deposit draft of the Local Plan which details the council's vision for the area for the next 20 years.

The plan continues the council's commitment to park-and-ride but does not specify where the car parks should be built, leaving open the possibility of building on a greenfield site.

The document is expected to be published next month, to be followed by a six-week period of public consultation.

A public inquiry into the proposals is scheduled for next year.

Before the meeting, council leader Lynette Gwyn-Jones said the leadership had ruled out Waterhall north of the A27 as a site for a possible park-and-ride operation even though it was the strongest candidate in terms of location.

Despite this assurance, councillors would not accept an amendment to the plan proposed by Green councillor Pete West which would formally exclude Waterhall once and for all.

He said: "Of course people will want a park-and-ride if you ask them but if you do not tell them exactly where the site might be they cannot see the whole picture."

He was supported by the Conservative group.

Coun Pat Drake said: "You are proposing to conserve and at the same time you are proposing to put down tarmac for a sea of parked cars within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty."

Labour councillors defended the criteria-based approach to finding a site for park-and-ride, insisting it would help achieve consensus across the community.

Coun John Ballance, executive member for the environment, said: "The approach allows us to identify other sites.

"I do not think Waterhall will be a suitable site but that will have no bearing on the criteria."

Coun Sue John said: "I oppose the amendment. To put that into the plan now would pre-empt the public debate we are seeking to have."

The ruling administration was also supported by the Lib Dem group leader, Coun Paul Elgood. He said: "As no sites have been ruled in, ruling any out at this stage is a little premature.

"I would like to see a full and frank public debate because it's an issue of such controversy."

Coun West's amendment was rejected by 10 votes to six.

Members of the public can look at the plan at main and branch libraries or town hall receptions and register their objections or support from September 25 to November 6.