A sorting centre for rubbish could be built in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

Brighton and Hove City Council delayed discussing proposals for the site in Hangleton Bottom, Hove, in October.

However, The Argus understands that a sorting centre for rubbish on the land is still in the pipeline.

Hangleton Bottom is just south of the A27 and to the west of the Hangleton Link Road.

The site is used as a temporary unofficial stop for travellers and as a horse paddock.

Although it is designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) it has not been included within the proposed South Downs National Park boundaries, and AONB protection is likely to be removed.

The council’s waste plan has earmarked the land for a materials recovery or waste transfer station, where recyclable rubbish is sorted before transportation to a processing plant.

But Brighton and Hove’s local plan, the city’s planning blueprint, has identified the site for recreational or community facilities.

In a confidential report drawn up in April this year, the council revealed that “interest has recently been shown in part of the site by one of the waste operators”.

Then, in early August, the council’s forward plan, which outlines key decisions planned for forthcoming months, listed October 16 as the date the future of the site was to be discussed.

The plan said the council was to “approve use of the site”, which is designated as land for waste sorting.

In a review of potential locations for new, permanent traveller pitches, published last month, Hangleton Bottom was ruled out because “accommodating waste uses and a gypsy and traveller site in close proximity is not good practice”.

It also confirmed that “waste operators” had been showing interest in the site.

The Argus understands that one of the firms which has been considering the land is looking to sort business waste, rather than domestic rubbish.

A council spokeswoman said: “The land at Hangleton Bottom is allocated in the local plan and waste local plan for the provision of waste facilities.

“As yet there are no detailed proposals for the future use of the site.”

Labour councillor Bob Carden, who represents North Portslade, said the area needed sports or community facilities, not a waste sorting centre.

He said: “I am not best pleased that a waste site development could be going there.

“I would like to see some sort of community facility.”

Conservative councillor Trevor Alford, who also represents the area, added: “There is an idea for it to have a recycling facility there and I am watching this space.

“I am not going to be jumping up and down with joy at the possibility of having a waste recycling centre but there is a need for a lot more discussion.”

If the council agreed to sell the site to a waste operator, any new facility would require planning permission.