A DEVELOPER could be chosen to transform the King Alfred site at the beginning of next year.

Brighton and Hove City Council has announced that it will launch a new marketing project for the development of the seafront site into a leisure centre and homes by advertising in trade press next month, with the view to appointing a developer in early 2015.

A developers’ day in November 2013 led 29 teams to express an interest in the site.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said no decision had been made on the suitability of any of those teams so far.

The council will be keen to avoid a repeat of the failed Frank Gehry-designed redevelopment of the site, which was finally killed off in 2008 following an expensive six year planning battle.

Developer Rob Starr, who is in the running to develop the leisure site, said he appreciated the council’s need to be rigorous but he added that action needed to be taken now to avoid a change in administration in May possibly derailing the process.

Mr Starr, who wants to build an all-purpose sports, arts, music, film and education venue, said the process should be fast-moving and a planning application could be filed in early 2016.

Other developers to publically express an interest in the site include The Cathedral Group, which gained planning permission for the £100 million regeneration of Circus Street earlier this month.

Mr Starr said: “I have been told they are on schedule and have been spending their time making sure the process is correct. It’s quite right that they are doing this, especially with what happened last time, but it is quite frustrating for us because we really want to see a timeline so we know what to work towards.”

Council leader Jason Kitcat said: “The site has fantastic potential to become a real asset to the community, featuring a state-of-the-art leisure centre and much-needed housing.

“Progress is being made behind the scenes and we’re looking forward to seeing some good ideas emerge from the tender process and progressing the scheme.”

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman confirmed to The Argus that any future redevelopment would have to include a leisure centre and swimming pool.

He said: “At this stage nobody is in or out of the running.

“The new opportunity will be widely advertised and is expected to generate considerable developer interest.”