Four designs have been selected for the Preston Barracks project, which could inject new life into an area of Brighton in need of regeneration.

Described as "elegant, daring and groundbreaking", the designs have been selected from a list of 18 proposed for the former Ministry of Defence land off Lewes Road.

The 2.2 hectare plot has been earmarked for a mixed development of businesses and homes.

The contenders are: Urban Life RH Partnerships, from Brighton; Urban Catalyst, from London; Chichester Diocesan Housing Association (CDHA), based in Hove; and Rokeagle, from Crawley.

Each were given the task of producing a scheme to provide space for 1,100 jobs and training opportunities, 260 units of housing (of which 110 would be "affordable") and a range of community facilities, which could include a health and fitness centre, a doctors' surgery and creche, shops and cafe bars.

The firms were today being given the chance to put their cases to city leaders in a series of presentations at Hove Town Hall.

Simon Burgess, Brighton and Hove city councillor for finance, said: "This is possibly the most exciting group of designs for east Brighton we have seen. Any one of them will transform the site.

"If this city is going to lead the way in the South-East, these designs will certainly set the benchmark."

Peter Field, who chairs the Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership, said: "We want a striking, high-specification design, which would create a gateway to the city from the north-east.

"The development would also need to make a significant contribution to the East Brighton New Deal for Communities regeneration scheme.

"The finalists will be judged according to criteria including energy efficiency, jobs created, self-containment of parking, quality of open spaces and encouragement of public transport, cycling and walking."

Paying for the scheme will be helped by cash from private developers and Government funding through a housing association and grants.

The council hopes a developer will be chosen by next month, followed by consultation and the submission of a planning application.

On the selection panel with the council are representatives from the South East England Development Agency (Seeda), Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership and the Regional Design Panel.

The barracks were bought by the council with help from Seeda and the regeneration partnership last year.

Recommendations for the chosen scheme will go to the partnership's board meeting and the council's policy committee on December 10.