The headmaster of a prestigious private school has urged planning bosses to make Brighton and Hove "the cutting edge of architecture".

Richard Cairns, who recently took over at Brighton College, called for the city to fulfil its potential by realising "beautiful and exciting projects".

Last week Mr Cairns told private and public sector leaders at the city forum that, having worked in Edinburgh and Oxford, he thought Brighton and Hove was "lacking in vision".

Now he has told The Argus that his vision for the city would involve a fusion of modern and historical buildings.

Mr Cairns was previously deputy headmaster of Magdalen College School, Oxford, and head of history at Stewart's Melville College in Edinburgh. He spent five years in each city.

He said: "Of the three cities, Brighton is the one I enjoy being part of the most, have no doubt about that. It has got an enormous amount of vitality like I never experienced in Oxford and rarely in Edinburgh.

"It is slightly disappointing therefore that the planning doesn't reflect that vitality or the new build doesn't reflect that.

"In Oxford they have the same heritage issues and the council has allowed the construction of quite a number of modern buildings, and the same in Edinburgh, such as the new National Museum of Scotland.

"I just feel that the city of Brighton, which is definitely the most vital and vibrant of those three, has stifled that energy. I sensed at the Brighton and Hove City Forum a mine of frustration by the people who want to move Brighton and Hove forward."

New constructions in Oxford in recent years have included the Rothermere American Institute and the Islamic Institute.

Mr Cairns said: "There have been more modern buildings in Oxford in the last 50 years than in the entire history of the university.

"My own view is that Brighton and Hove has got everything going for it. I don't think we should be afraid to embrace new things and invite world-renowned architects to come and push the city forward.

"It is a fantastic city and could be at the cutting edge of architecture in England. We have got beautiful open spaces and the sea. We have got lots of people in Brighton with lots of ideas. It seemed many of them during the forum were frustrated."

Last year Brighton College submitted a planning application for a £1.5 million three-storey visual and performing arts centre adjoining its existing Victorian building.

It was turned down by councillors.

Mr Cairns said: "I think there is nothing wrong with an exciting vision that is sympathetic to a Victorian building. I wasn't involved in that particular project but I think there was nothing wrong with the idea that there could be a modern building next to an older building.

"I can totally understand why people might not like that particular building but they shouldn't simply block them on the grounds that they are modern."

The headteacher, 39, said he liked the plans for a giant tower and ten smaller buildings at the marina which were rejected last year. He said: "We want to be excited by the plans that developers are bringing forward. We obviously want to make sure that they are sustainable projects and low-energy projects and beautiful and exciting projects.

"We have got to embrace the line of change. We have to have a vision for 21st century Brighton. I sensed at that forum there is real paralysis and frustration and fear for Brighton and Hove city that developers and architects will simply give up.

"It amazes me that one of the most remarkable and most exciting buildings in Brighton, the Pavilion, would not now be given planning permission."