A shopping centre regarded as one of the ugliest in Sussex is set for a dramatic transformation.

Plans to create 40,000sqft of leisure and retail space at Langney Shopping Centre, Eastbourne, have been submitted to the town's borough council.

It will be the first major expansion of the 150,000sqft centre since it was built on fields and farmland in 1973.

The centre currently houses retailers including Tesco, Boots, Iceland, Peacocks and Lidl. By creating a 14metre-high, two-storey extension over the service yard, its capacity could be boosted by 25 per cent.

A blueprint sent to the Tory-run council outlines plans for retail outlets at lower level, suitable for a major national chain.

There would be leisure facilities on the upper floor and a pavilion-style building at the eastern entrance.

Tony Quayle, managing director of developer Edinburgh House Estates, said: "Eastbourne remains a hugely popular tourist destination and the expansion of the Langney Shopping Centre will enhance the town's retail and leisure."

The planned expansion will cheer the centre's critics. It was one of several shopping precincts in Sussex publicly branded ugly in April.

The Argus asked whether it was worse than Teville Gate in Worthing, which was named Britain's Shabbiest Street in a Radio 5 Live poll.

In a report to councillors, designers highlight Langney Shopping Centre's poor architectural reputation, saying its image must be improved.

They claim their proposals are modern and fresh and will set a precedent for later developments.

Langney Liberal Democrat councillor Irene Sims said the plans would help enhance the shopping centre's drab image.

She said: "The plans look very good and I think they will go a long way to improving people's perception of it.

"Making it more attractive to a wider band of people, both young and old, will also put Langney more firmly on the map in Eastbourne."

However, some residents have told council officials the "monstrous" proposal would blight their properties.

They are concerned about possible loss of privacy, extra traffic and the building's height.

They said the development was ill-conceived and badly thought out.

The planning and licensing committee is being recommended to approve the plans when it meets at the town hall next Tuesday.

However, it is recommended to impose a host of conditions to any consent, including an agreement that leisure use should be confined from 8am to 11pm and sound insulation should be fitted.