Business leaders have put their weight behind the controversial Brighton railway station site development.

The New England Consortium has put in plans to Brighton and Hove City Council for a mixed-use scheme on land next to the station.

It includes two hotels, a language school headquarters, hundreds of homes and a supermarket.

Pressure group Brighton Urban Development and Design (Budd) has opposed the scheme, along with the Brighton Society, fearing the development would blight London Road and generate more traffic.

However, the City Centre Business Forum said it should not harm either London Road or North Laine.

City centre manager Tony Mernagh said: "While the links from London Road to the new development are not ideal, we are convinced that the developers are proposing a genuine attempt to make them attractive."

North Laine Traders have also come out in favour of the proposals after conducting a poll of members.

It found 59 per cent in favour, 36 per cent against and five per cent undecided.

Chris Gilbert, project manager for the New England Consortium, said: "We're delighted that they like what we are now proposing.

"We have always believed the creation of a whole new community working and living on the site can only benefit local retailers."

The application will be considered by the city planning committee on December 11.