Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott could decide the future of hundreds of new homes which would also see £775,000 spent on public services.
Transport, schools and a library would benefit from plans to redevelop part of Sussex Wharf at Harbour Way, Shoreham Beach.
The 289 homes would include flats and homes offering up to four bedrooms, of which 30 per cent would be affordable housing.
Mr Prescott has already been asked to decide on one planning application from developers Wilson Connolly Southern.
The company asked him to call in the plans after Adur District Council put off making a decision last month because members were not happy with some of the details.
An amended application, which meets some of the council's concerns, will also have to go to Mr Prescott.
Because housing is a departure from the Local Plan, Mr Prescott will be given 28 days to decide if he wants to intervene, should the planning committee approve the revised plans on January 8.
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