An offensive has been launched to convince wavering members of a planning committee to back the controversial King Alfred redevelopment.

Brighton and Hove City Council's planning committee will decide on Friday whether the £290 million Frank Gehry proposal for Hove seafront is given the green light.

The vote is on a knife edge and business leaders predict Lib Dem leader David Watkins' decision could be pivotal.

Simon Fanshawe, chairman of Brighton and Hove Economic Partnership Members, is asking company bosses across the city to contact Councillor Watkins.

Developer Karis wants to build 751 homes and a sports complex to replace the rundown leisure centre on Hove seafront.

Although members of planning committees are not allowed to vote along party lines and must consider the application on its planning merits, the business partnership believes that five Labour councillors will vote for the scheme and five Conservatives and one Green against.

If Coun Watkins votes for the development it will be down to Labour councillor Leslie Hamilton to use his casting vote as chairman - almost certainly pushing the project through.

Mr Fanshawe said: "The single Liberal Democrat vote on the planning committee is unknown but it is vitally important that they support the planning application.

"The King Alfred development, which goes before the planning committee on March 23, represents extraordinary value for the city delivering more than £80 million in community benefit from a site worth just £11 million."

Green councillors claimed yesterday that parents who move into the King Alfred development face a fight to find school places for their children if controversial plans are given the go-ahead.

Coun Keith Taylor, the Green Party convenor, is warning of an "education black hole" after it emerged that just £400,000 of the £1.2 million requested for schools by the council will be released by developer Karis.

Josh Arghiros, managing director of Karis, said that far from shortchanging education in the city, the real contribution to schools is closer to £3.5 million.

He said: "This is the largest contribution towards education and training in the history of the city."

He also hit back at claims by the city's Primary Care Trust (PCT) that the on-site doctors' surgery is too small, adding that it would be able to house two GPs.

Councillor Keith Taylor, the Green Party convenor, said: "Our group's view is that there are simply too many elements of the King Alfred plan that still need working out properly to give it the go-ahead this week"

But Pat Hawkes, chairwoman of the council's children, families and school committee, said she supported the scheme because of the new sport facilities and extra affordable housing.

She said: "It is a pretty abysmal offer by them but I believe there is still room for negotiation over it."

*The planning meeting starts at 2pm at Hove Town Hall and due to space constraints, an audio link is being set up in the banqueting suite.

Tickets for entry to the public gallery and banqueting suite will be issued by staff at Hove Town Hall foyer from 1pm on a first come, first served and one ticket per person basis.

For up-to-the-minute updates from the meeting visit www.theargus.co.uk on Friday.