Planning officials have published a series of recommendations they hope will appease angry residents and improve their chaotic department.

David Panter, chief executive at Brighton and Hove City Council, ordered a review after architects, businesses, residents and builders complained about the time taken to process applications.

Last year, fewer than a third of planning applications were dealt with within the Government's eight-week time scale.

Despite improvements, minor applications, such as alterations to windows and doors, were often taking more than two months to be decided and critics called the service chaotic.

Opposition councillors demanded improvements, claiming the planning department was short of cash and overwhelmed by major projects such as the Falmer stadium.

Now a review has been completed. Draft recommendations include:

Making more money available to speed up processing of applications
Cutting down on bureaucracy and unnecessary administration
Improving staff training and introducing better monitoring of workloads
Streamlining computer systems and improving internal communications within the planning department.

During the review, staff identified low morale, poor computer systems, cumbersome administration and high demand for the service as some of the key stumbling blocks.

Environment councillor Chris Morley said: "We recognise that there are problems but we are committed to improving our planning service.

"We will deal with the problems which have been raised and support staff so they can work effectively and feel proud of the important part they play in the work of the council."

Last year, the council processed 31 per cent of applications within eight weeks. Its target was 65 per cent. On average, planning applications took 14 weeks to process.

Councillors and staff will be consulted on the review from this week. Consultations with the public will take place next month.

The council's senior policy-making committee expects to approve the review after that.