NEW plans for the redevelopment of Hove's King Alfred Centre are receiving overwhelming backing from residents.

There was fierce opposition to the £30 million scheme when the original plans were released by developers Citygrove.

The company bowed to public pressure and revised the design, and thousands of homes in Hove have been leafleted with the new proposals.

Many have now been returned, and show residents are 4-1 in favour of the development. The deadline for responses is May 31.

Changes to Citygrove's original plans include scrapping a proposed nightclub and reducing the height of the building.

The cinema complex was also reduced in scale.

Additional features include a new sports hall and a change of layout to improve the west-facing aspect of the scheme.

Vallance ward councillor Simon Battle said: "People seem very positive with the benefits the scheme will bring, but they are still worried about the commercialisation needed to achieve it."

He said that there were concerns about the amount of traffic it would generate and some people, including himself, did not like the way in which restaurants faced the Kingsway rather than the seafront.

But Coun Battle added there was a strong welcome for £1 million to be spent on the existing swimming pools.

"They have welcomed the fact that they are having a say and don't feel that they have been stitched up."

Council leader Lord Bassam said: "So far there has been a considerable thumbs up for this scheme.

"What surprised me is how much many people want to see the return of cinemas to Hove.

"They are also pleased to see a sports hall on the seafront. The proposals for access by public transport and bike have created a lot of interest.

"Whatever happens, we must take account of the environmental concerns that people are expressing."

Opponents are continuing to fight the scheme.

Selma Montford, secretary of the Brighton Society, said:

She said: "The building is still, huge, very long and very bland. It has n windows facing the sea.

"The problem is that the council is also the freeholder and stands to gain financially from this scheme."

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