English Heritage has given its backing to the controversial King Alfred development.

The organisation had previously opposed the £290 million scheme which is earmarked for Kingsway, Hove.

A spokeswoman for project developer Karis said: "English Heritage had concerns about the way it integrated on the Kingsway and the surrounding area and they also had concerns about the height of the buildings.

"We have now reduced the heights of the buildings on the Kingsway by two storeys, and curved perimeter buildings."

In a letter to Karis, representatives from English Heritage said the design of the east plaza "now works well in creating the visual invitation from St Aubyns and providing the connecting views through to the sea."

Karis Holdings is a joint venture between ING Real Estate and Karis Developments.

Managing director Josh Arghiros said: "We are delighted that English Heritage has confirmed their support for the revised plans. Both English Heritage and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) have now confirmed that they have no reservations regarding the height and scale of the development, the number of apartments, the design of the sports centre or the public realm."

The proposed development is by Frank Gehry, who designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain. It includes a leisure centre and 751 apartments.

CABE had originally opposed the plan but, like English Heritage, it is now backing the development.

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said: "After a number of useful meetings with the client's design team English Heritage are satisfied that our main concerns have been addressed.

"We can therefore support the scheme confident that it will enhance Brighton's seafront and in the knowledge that the finer details will be resolved locally."

A revised planning application is under consideration by Brighton and Hove City Council.

A target decision date for the plans is December 21.

The council asked for the initial plans to be re-worked after concerns about the high number of homes proposed for the site and objections from CABE and English Heritage.