Writer Julie Burchill has challenged some of her "hypocrite" neighbours to take a lie detector test.

She made the comment as Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee yesterday considered plans to bulldoze her home to make way for a five-storey block of flats.

Along with residents from three nearby properties, Ms Burchill has been offered an undisclosed seven-figure sum by developers for her house in Somerhill Avenue, Hove.

The columnist said anyone would accept a similar amount if developers approached them to buy their property.

Ms Burchill said it would be interesting to "wire up a couple of the resident opponents of the scheme to a reliable - not a toy - lie detector machine and ask them if they would or would not sell their house for development if offered a seven-figure sum for it.

"Let's say £2 million, though that's more than we're getting."

She said the development would not change the nature of the area.

Ms Burchill has said it is hypocritical of people who live in the nearby new Chatsworth Square development, which she called a Lego village, to object to another modern scheme.

Last year, an application on the same spot to build a block of 108 flats was withdrawn when planning officers said it was likely to be turned down.

The new scheme, drawn up by Totem Architects, had been recommended for approval, with officers saying it would have "little impact on the amenities of the occupiers of neighbouring properties".

However, the councillors yesterday decided to visit the site before making a decision.

Retired teacher Mike Wilson, 59, lives in the same road as Ms Burchill and is joint chairman of campaign group No Inappropriate Development (NO-ID).

He said: "I'm very pleased with the councillors' decision. It means the lobbying has had an effect."

In response to Ms Burchill's suggestion that he should be wired up to a lie detector, he said: "I find it laughable.

"I haven't been approached by developers myself but I believe I would say no.

"I know people who have turned down offers because they love their homes.

"They like the area and they want to retain it as it is."

Objections were received from 29 addresses including households in Chatsworth Square, Davigdor Road, Holland Road, Palmeira Court, Somerhill Road and Somerhill Avenue.