There are problems for councils when their roles as landowners conflict with those as planning authorities.

It has happened to Brighton and Hove City Council over open space it sold to developers Whitgift and it could prove costly.

Whitgift says it bought the land on the basis it was likely to get planning permission for housing on the site.

But the planning committee turned down the bid in a decision twice upheld by an independent inspector.

As landowners, the council cannot bind its planning committee to approve schemes on land simply because it has been sold to a developer.

Other factors have to be taken into consideration. In this case, wildlife interests were paramount.

In future, councils must make sure it is made plain to developers there is no guarantee of permission.

Otherwise, big firms who feel they have been duped could put their lawyers on the case to get their money back.

And we all know who would foot the bill.