Controversial parking plans for central Brighton and Hove have been left in disarray.

Proposals to create two new parking zones to replace eight in the city centre were rejected by councillors at a Brighton and Hove City Council environment committee meeting last night.

Their decision means council officers will now have to consider alternatives to the two-zone system, with several councillors suggesting all eight zones should be kept as they are. Others said a halfway measure should be considered.

The meeting was expected to give the go-ahead to plans to scrap voucher parking and replace it with pay-and-display schemes.

These will be put on hold until the zone issues are resolved.

Green and Conservative councillors voted against the plans.

They said they were concerned reducing the parking to two zones would mean residents in the busiest areas, especially in North Laine and around Brighton station, would be left unable to park.

They said there was a strong likelihood residents from outlying areas of the zones would drive from their homes and park right in the centre if they were given the opportunity.

Green Keith Taylor, who represents the St Peter's and North Laine ward, said: "There are currently in the region of 450 permits for 252 spaces in my ward. If this were to go ahead, those residents would be in competition with another 1,700 who would be entitled to park there. It's sheer insanity."

Committee chairwoman Gill Mitchell, who voiced her support for the plans, warned councillors their decision could have dire financial consequences.

She said the loss of income from delaying any new scheme was estimated at more than £1 million. She added there would be further costs in commissioning extra consultancy work to consider other schemes, while installing new parking signs in the existing zones could cost £100,000.

Mrs Mitchell said: "I hope you appreciate the implications of what you are doing."

She added the delay would prevent officers working on parking systems for other areas of the city.

Mrs Mitchell said the proposed changes were intended to enable more people to park close to their homes and to cut waiting lists for residents' permits.

Several councillors criticised the consultation process used to test whether residents wanted the changes. They said residents were only able to give an opinion on one proposed scheme when they should have had a chance to consider alternatives.

Campaigners who have fought against the proposals were delighted with the outcome.

Steve Percy, chairman of the People's Parking Protest, said: "They've done the right thing. They need to go away and consider a scheme which will suit the residents of this city.

"What they really need to do is come to the taxpayers and ask what we feel should be done before coming up with their own ideas and trying to force them on to us."