More than 1,000 jobs will be generated by a proposal to build a glistening complex of flats, shops and business space on the site of a former Army barracks.

The proposal has been selected from a shortlist of four designs for the Preston Barracks site, off Lewes Road in Brighton.

A consortium led by Chichester Diocesan Housing Association (CDHA), architects Broadway Malyan and commercial developers Wilson Bowden is being recommended as the preferred developer by Brighton and Hove City Council officers and representatives of the South East England Development Agency (Seeda).

The proposal will create 412 homes - 40 per cent of them affordable - 20,000 sqm of business space and a range of community facilities.

The CDHA aims to retain and manage the finished development in partnership with the city council.

It is already a partner in the £47.2 million eb4u project to regenerate east Brighton.

Three tall buildings, each topped off with three stepped levels, would be lined up within the site.

An innovation centre would front the development along Lewes Road.

Architect Ian Simpson said the development would be home to a centre of excellence for community enterprise, managed by the council, Brighton University and eb4u.

The buildings would open out on to landscaped courtyards featuring public art, private gardens and water features.

Finance and property councillor Simon Burgess said: "A huge amount of work has gone on since two of the four developers were invited to enter the final stage of the competition.

"I am delighted these proposals link with the regeneration work going on in the east Brighton and eb4U area."

The other contender was Urban Catalyst.

Peter Field, who chairs the Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership, said: "We are extremely fortunate to have two proposals of such a high standard.

"Both are capable of delivering a flagship mixed-use scheme which fits well with the challenging vision for Preston Barracks."

Seeda property spokesman Phil Dibsdale, said: "The two finalists produced excellent schemes to meet the aspirations of the Preston barracks site.

"Choosing between them proved extremely difficult."

It is likely a full planning application for the site will be submitted by December, providing the council and the regeneration partnership both agree to choose CDHA.

The council bought Preston Barracks two years ago from the Ministry of Defence.

It had been in military use since the 1790s.