A multimillion-pound project to build housing on a derelict factory site has been revealed to the public.

The Hyde Group housing association opened the doors of its Davigdor Road office in Hove to present the plans for a £9 million development which would feature 59 flats, six family homes and office space.

The proposed development site is on the corner of Newtown Road and Goldstone Lane, which has been unoccupied for 15 years.

Colin Brace, one of the landowners, said: “We are conscious Brighton has a significant deficit of housing and that the council needs to narrow the gap between the 11,000 sites they have identified and they 20,000 they need.

“Developing brownfield sites such as this which have lain dormant for so long has got to be a priority over and above developing on green open spaces.”

Developers want to file the planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council by the end of the September.

Leader of the SaveHove conservation group Valerie Paynter, who attended the exhibition, criticised the houses which she said would be too small for families and questioned whether the six-storey tower block was adequate for the city’s housing needs.

She also raised concerns about the development being bought up by private landlords.

John Martin, project manager, assured 40% of the homes in the build will be protected under planning laws and will be reserved for shared ownership.

He said: “You cannot safeguard the rest of the properties as they are for private sale.”

Mr Martin assured the six houses are of sufficient size and exceed all regulatory requirements.

He added the decision to not make the tower block higher was part of a “holistic approach” by the developer.

He said: “Though we are an affordable housing provider we have a business head with a social heart.

“We cannot just go and turn round and throw up an eight to ten storey building just because it is in a tall building zone.”

He said they want to create an environment which is “pleasant” for potential residents.

Architect Andy Parsons said if the plans are given permission, homes will be ready to move into by the end of 2016.