Councillors may find it hard to defend their decision to refuse planning permission for a cabaret-style lap dancing club.

Brighton and Hove planning committee was reflecting the wishes of neighbours in turning down the change of use for the old cinema and amusement arcade in Western Road, Hove, near the Brighton boundary.

It's true there were police objections but planning officers recommended approval and a lap dancing club not far away in Hove appears to cause little trouble.

This is a highly cosmopolitan part of the city with many pubs and restaurants nearby. The premises concerned have been a place of entertainment for well over 100 years.

A good case could have been presented against any plans to turn the building into a nightclub, disco or superpub but not a cabaret club.

This sort of club cannot be turned down on moral grounds and the planning case against it was weak. An appeal may soon prove the point.