D-DAY is fast approaching for the multi-million pound future of one of the biggest ports in Sussex.

Developers have put forward two separate bids, both with supermarkets at their core, to regenerate Newhaven.

But experts at Lewes District Council have admitted, while both offer “significant development opportunities”, only one should be approved.

A decision will be taken on the plans by councillors at a special public meeting at Tideway School in Southdown Road, Newhaven, on Wednesday, May 23 at 6pm.

The first plan, known as Eastside, is a joint proposal by Asda and Barratt Homes to create a supermarket with up to 350 jobs, a pub, 14 commercial units and about 200 homes on greenfield land behind the Brightwell Industrial Estate.

The second called the Railway Quarter is for a new Tesco, providing 350 full and part-time jobs, on brownfield near the port.

It will include the restoration of derelict listed buildings for leisure facilities, a new port entrance, a riverside walkway and improved transport hub.

However some historic buildings will be demolished.

Planning experts from Lewes District Council “strongly recommend” councillors not to approve both proposals adding, if so, it was unlikely both would be built.

They added two supermarkets would deter trade away from the town centre and lead to transport issues and congestion.

Railway recommendation

In public papers, the experts have recommended the Railway Quarter as its preferred option.

However it added there were concerns over access and East Sussex County Council, which is the highways authority, has recommended it be rejected.

The local authority has recommended deferring both applications so the transport and highways aspects of the Railway Quarter can be resolved.

If not then it advises approving Eastside at a later date.

Daniel Carter, development director for Arrowcroft, the firm, behind the Railway Quarter plan, said: “Newhaven has made it abundantly clear that it is desperate for economic regeneration but not at the expense of the town centre.

“Combined with the impressive new entrance to the port, we believe that the Railway Quarter project will support the vitality of the town centre and re-establish Newhaven as a prosperous British seaside town.”

A third bid by Sussex-based Cross Stone to build a food store, nursery and community centre at a cost of £23.5 million, was withdrawn in March after a public exhibition.

The company said it felt could not commit to buying the Parker Pen building on the proposed site.

Which plan do you think should proceed?