Multi-million pound plans to develop a large brownfield site in Brighton and Hove are to be put forward despite Railtrack's financial problems.

There were worries the scheme for land at Brighton station would be affected by the winding up of the company following financial difficulties.

But the property arm of Railtrack has not been affected by the crisis and is still operating.

Railtrack owns the land at Brighton and is a main player in the New England Consortium, which has submitted its plans Brighton and Hove City Council.

The scheme to develop the largely derelict land includes new housing, offices, hotels and a supermarket.

A consortium spokesman said: "The planning application will proceed as anticipated.

"It is business as usual as far as we are aware."

Green councillor Keith Taylor, who opposes the scheme, said: "The Government wants to put people back at the centre of the railway service.

"Yet big business is being allowed to carry on with making this planning application which local people do not want."