Developers have defended their plans for a £10 million tower block, which they say will help regenerate a town centre.

Councillors have been advised by planning officers to reject plans for the 18-storey landmark building in Newhaven.

But developerSign of Four has hit back at critics.

Project architect Philip Farmiloe said: "We are disappointed at this reaction because we believe our plans could trigger substantial regeneration in the town. Meanwhile, we have been encouraged by our discussions with Lewes District Council and we are receiving a great deal of support and enthusiasm for our scheme from the people of New-haven."

In a report, planning officers at East Sussex County Council said the tower, which would be up to nine times higher than nearby buildings, would blight the area.

The tower would include 22 new flats and a basement car park with 22 spaces.

A bar-restaurant and retail outlets would be based on the ground and first-floor levels, with offices and terraces in two to four-storey wings.

Built of steel and glass, it would be the highest building in Newhaven at 240ft and one of the tallest in Sussex.

Bob Wilkins, director of transport and environment at the council, said: "I have major concerns about the form of the building proposed.

"It has no functional need to be of the scale, form or height proposed.

"There is no submitted transport assessment with the application and, therefore, I also have concerns about its transport impact.

"Regeneration in Newhaven should be part of an overall scheme for the town centre as a whole, rather than piecemeal development."

The county council's planning and highways sub-committee will decide what views to send to the district council when it meets at Pelham House, Lewes, on Wednesday.