A NEIGHBOURHOOD consultation has been suspended due to a council by-election.

The consultation in West Saltdean began on April 26, asking residents for their views on an application to turn the area into a neighbourhood forum and neighbourhood area.

However, Brighton and Hove City Council said that pre-election period restrictions meant that the consultation should not have commenced when it did.

A spokesman for the council said: “Under guidance on publicity restrictions that should be observed by local authorities during a pre-election period, the consultation should not have commenced on April 26.

“This was an oversight on our part for which we apologise.”

The consultation is set to restart for six weeks from May 10 to June 21.

Papers and information on how residents can take part will be re-publicised at that point to ensure as many people can give their views on the proposals.

Responses received so far will be carried forward and will not need to be re-submitted.

The council will determine the application on September 13.

Voters in Rottingdean Coastal will go to the polls on May 5 to elect a new councillor following the sudden resignation of Joe Miller in March.