A scaled-down plan for a seafront tower is expected to meet renewed public opposition.

The building proposed by Berkeley Homes for the site of the former Caffyns garage in Kingsway, Hove, has been slashed from 12 to to six storeys.

The number of flats in the glass-fronted building has been cut from 98 to 70 and includes 30 affordable homes.

The plans also include 924 sq m of ground floor offices, a basement car and cycle park and a terrace of five town houses.

Berkeley's planning application, submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council, is the developer's second. Its original application for a 12-storey tower was thrown out.

Councillors said the previous application failed to meet guidelines on job creation and affordable housing and believed the height, scale and design failed to complement surrounding properties and would have led to a loss of privacy.

Neighbours said the prospect of living in the shadow of the 12-storey building had caused great concern and the new proposals were also out of keeping with the area.

Jane Waite, of Roman Road, said the new building remained too tall and there was still opposition among residents.

The trainee teacher said: "It would still be a tall building and therefore it's still too high.

"My concern is if it's approved they might try to increase the size later. They are trying to cram too many people into too small an area."

Berkeley Homes was unavailable for comment.

Friday, January 13, 2006