The firm behind the controversial King Alfred redevelopment scheme has quashed safety fears raised by fire chiefs.

East Sussex Fire Authority (ESFA) had objected to the plans by Karis to build 751 new homes and redevelop the old and crumbling King Alfred leisure centre because no sprinklers were planned to be installed in the high rise areas of the Frank Gehry designed buildings on Hove seafront.

The fire authority said it would have no choice but to object to the proposals put forward because of safety fears.

However Karis confirmed to The Argus yesterday that it had taken on board ESFA's points and was now planning to include sprinkler systems in their plans and fully comply with changing building regulations.

A spokeswoman for Karis said: "We are now putting sprinklers into the buildings and are meeting all the requirements."

There is currently no legal requirement for sprinkler systems to be installed in homes but fire authorities have the right to object to plans for new buildings which do not have them.

The situation is made more complex by new building regulations due to come into force in April this year.

The Government has revised the building regulations section of the Buildings Act 1984 to make it a legal requirement to have sprinklers in tall buildings such as the proposed King Alfred development.

Technically the plans which Karis have submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council for the development currently meet all the requirements but the company recognises that it must comply with the new laws.

Along with the new homes and sports complex at King Alfred, which is costing an estimated £300 million, Karis also plans to create new piazzas and refurbish much of the seafront on the site.

Hove MP Celia Barlow has been instrumental in lobbying for changes in the law surrounding sprinkler systems - particularly in schools and tall buildings.