Developers have revealed ambitious updated plans to transform Brighton Marina - including four times as many new homes.

Costs have soared to £200 million after Parkridge Developments decided to put together a new proposal which now includes almost 1,000 flats.

The company hopes to submit a full planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council within two months.

The firm originally intended to focus on just one-quarter of the expensive redevelopment scheme, involving 220 flats.

However, Parkridge chiefs decided to spend more time on the proposals and present them in one go.

The scheme would also include five new buildings and an overhaul of transport facilities.

Opponents hope the expanded proposals will make it more likely the Government will call a public inquiry.

When The Argus first revealed artist's impressions of how the buildings would look last March, it was estimated the project would cost about £50 million.

However, Parkridge managing director Philip O'Callaghan has now put the firm's likely investment at £200 million.

He said: "The costs are obviously going up because the scale of the development is going up.

"A massive amount of work needs to go into this. A few people in Brighton have asked what's going on, thinking it's gone a bit quiet.

"But rest assured, it's not gone quiet from our end but we're not yet in a position to unveil the plans until we know exactly how they can be built."

Five glossy buildings, some designed by Brighton architect Piers Gough, would tower above the marina if the plans get the go-ahead.

Two red and green, 14-storey cylindrical tower blocks in the Merchant's Quay area would offer a mixture of apartments and commercial units.

Access to the marina would be overhauled, with an illuminated entrance replacing the existing drab concrete ramps.

The developers are also lining up cycle lanes, walkways and better lighting, as well as brightly-coloured screens and glass-fronted architecture to improve the marina's overall appearance.

A transport interchange would be built, serving as a focal point for visitors travelling by bus and, the developers hope, a monorail system would be included.

Parkridge has already invested £40 million in the Waterfront building which opened at the marina last November, with bars, restaurants, shops and a boutique hotel.

Mr O'Callaghan has previously told The Argus of his confidence Parkridge can turn the marina from a dispiriting "white elephant" into a stylish resort to rival the likes of Barcelona.

Brighton Marina Yacht Club, which fears parking chaos and the spoiling of boating facilities, has been encouraging residents to protest about the plans to the Government.

Club commodore John Duffy said: "We suspected Parkridge might put in piecemeal bids for more and more housing and development to avoid a public inquiry.

"If they are now trying for it all in one make-or-break go like this, that may actually help us push more strongly for a public inquiry and we'll do our best to break them."

Mr O'Callaghan rejected Mr Duffy's claims as "scaremongering" and pointed to improvements to yacht owners' facilities, including new pontoons, amenity blocks and dredging work.

Monday September 1, 2003