Plans for a 15-storey building on a derelict seafront site have been delayed.

The application from developer Sirius Taghan to build a block of flats on the Medina House site at Kings Esplanade, Hove, was expected to be received by Brighton and Hove City Council by mid-January.

But Mr Taghan said there had been a delay because he had not been able to complete his consultation with the council.

He has to meet planning officers to make sure his design is suitable for the area before submitting the application.

Mr Taghan said: "I was supposed to meet them before Christmas but it never happened because of staff illness at the council.

"I am hoping to meet them as soon as possible to iron out any niggly points that are left.

"We are almost there with the consultation process but there is about another 25 per cent which needs to be done."

Mr Taghan said he expected to submit the application by mid-February.

He hopes to demolish the derelict Medina House, which he bought from Hove Council in the 1990s, to build a 15 or 16-storey block of flats.