The leader of Brighton and Hove City Council says opponents of the planned King Alfred development on Hove seafront of being small-minded.

Coun Ken Bodfish said Frank Gehry's bold vision for Hove seafront would create a landmark for the future.

Three separate bids have been made to the council for a new leisure centre and more than 400 flats on the King Alfred site.

On Friday we reported concerns from the leaders of the three other parties on the council, the Tories, Greens and Liberal Democrats.

Coun Bodfish told a Labour meeting: "We have the chance to be bold and grasp the opportunity to create the Royal Pavilion of the 21st Century."

He said some of the world's greatest architects were involved in the proposals. Between them they had designed the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, the Pompidou Centre in Paris, the Lloyds Building in London and the winking eye footbridge linking Newcastle and Gateshead.

Coun Bodfish said: "The effect of meeting these architects was truly inspirational as they revealed the beauty of our city's past and the fantastic possibilities for the future.

"We should be thrilled that people who could work just about anywhere in the world want to work with us. "

Coun Bodfish said that whichever design was chosen, people would benefit from new swimming pools, a sports hall with badminton courts, indoor bowls, an 80-station gym, a workout studio, a health suite, a creche and soft play area and a cafe. Nearly half the homes would be set side for key workers.

He added: "It's time for politicians and decision makers to have vision for the future of this great city and to show that we have the courage that our predecessors had."

Opinion has been divided over whether three dramatic designs for Hove seafront are eye-catching or eye-sores.

Hundreds of people have examined the plans to redevelop the rundown King Alfred Leisure Centre.

Scores of people visited a weekend exhibition to see the plans for themselves after seeing the designs on this web site and in The Argus.

Three options have been put forward to transform the ageing leisure centre site.

Of those, it was the eye-catching work of world-renowned architect Frank Gehry, who was commissioned by developers Karis Developments/ING, which attracted the most comment.

Mr Gehry, who created the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, plans four skyscrapers, the highest of which would stand at 38 storeys - making it the tallest in Sussex.

Patricia Davis, 40, of Hammy Close, Shoreham, said: "At first I was not enamoured with the Karis design but Brighton needs this kind of building because it is innovative and exciting, although I don't quite think the people of the city are ready for it yet."

Chris Brand, 55, who lives opposite the site in Vallance Gardens, said: "All the schemes are potentially disastrous. They are out of scale with the other buildings in the area."

One of the most enthusiastic responses to the Karis design came from Kay Day, 64, who was visiting Hove from her home in Brentwood, Essex.

She said: "I really liked the look of the Karis design but I'm not sure if the people of Hove will share my views. I think it could be something outstanding, like the Sydney Opera House. The city should take that chance."

John Small, 69, of Furze Croft, Hove, said: "I like them all and it will be very interesting to see which one will be successful."

Richard Austin, 56, of St Nicholas Road, Brighton, said: "It is fantastic we have got three highly-regarded architects who have come up with very different but very striking proposals for the site."

Barratt-Brunswick's designers have proposed a folding ribbon-style development which would house 404 flats while Countryside Properties has designed tower blocks to contain 487 flats.

In a user poll on this site, Gehry's unusual idea for four sculpted towers was today proving the most popular. However, almost a quarter of responses call for the teams to be sent back to their drawing boards.

Comments in our forums range from those who believe the plans are "nonsense" and "awful" to others who think they are "stunning" and that each of them could be a "landmark for Brighton & Hove to be proud of".

Hove Labour MP Ivor Caplin said he was impressed by all three.

He said: "It will be a very tricky decision to come to a conclusion."

The plans will be on display at the King Alfred centre until Thursday, then move to Hove Town Hall until Monday.

Representatives from all the teams will answer questions between 2pm and 7pm on Friday and 10am and 2pm on Saturday.

See the designs and vote for your favourite at thisisbrightonandhove.co.uk/alfred/