The Government Inspector tasked with making the decision on whether the boards should be banned from the central conservation areas from Kemp Town to Sackville Road, Hove, and Hove Street will now be published in April.

Liberal Democrat councillor for Brunswick Paul Elgood said on his blog: “The original control order has been a tremendous success and made a huge contribution to improving the historic squares and terraces. It really must be extended, and for me the only question is how far.”

The boards are already banned in some listed buildings in the city, including those in Brunswick Square, Adelaide Crescent, Montpelier Crescent and Sussex Square.