Councillors are refusing to make controversial decisions before the general election in case it damages their parties' chances of taking MPs' seats.

The Argus understands concerns have been raised by planning officers in Brighton and Hove while some members have admitted they are being affected by the closeness of the election.

The situation emerged after Brighton and Hove city councillors rejected a planning application for the redevelopment of the former Gala Bingo site in Portland Road, Hove.

Council officers had recommended the proposals from Downland Housing Association for a super-sized GP surgery and 35 flats should be given the go-ahead.

Both Hove Labour MP Celia Barlow and the Conservative parliamentary candidate for the area, Mike Weatherley, registered their objections to the plans.

At the hearing last week, eight councillors abstained during the vote on the proposals while the other four voted against it so the five-storey scheme was rejected.

Councillor Bob Carden, who sat on the planning committee and abstained from voting, described the process as “very sad”.

He added: “If there had not been a general election coming up in the next few weeks I think there would have been a different decision.

“I could have voted against it but I did not feel I could register my opinion on this application.”

Ian Davey, the Green's parliamentary candidate for Hove and a member of the planning committee, substituted himself off the panel saying he had a prejudicial interest because he lived close by.