Opponents of proposals for a £290 million leisure and homes complex have demanded "propaganda" setting out the advantages of the development be removed from council offices.

Conservative councillors Brian Oxley and Denise Cobb have written to senior planning officers at Brighton and Hove City Council to say promotional material for the King Alfred development in Hove, part of a display on the first floor of Hove Town Hall, is no longer appropriate Although the council is landlord of the King Alfred site, the councillors said since a planning application was awaiting determination, the council, acting in its role of planning authority, should appear to be neutral.

In a joint statement, the two Westbourne councillors said: "By displaying this promotional material, it is difficult to maintain the attitude of neutrality. Some of the phrases, such as stating that the development is in the spirit of Brighton and Hove, we believe are in conflict with that neutrality."

The councillors said they would be happy if a small model illustrating the development remained.

Deputy council leader Sue John, the Labour member with responsibility for the development, said: "It is perfectly normal practice with any major planning application for developers to be invited to mount a three-dimensional exhibition to help bring their proposals to life. The current display in Hove Town Hall is very helpful in this regard so I cant see it would make any sense to remove it."