THERE is little chance of a reversal of the King Alfred decision despite a positive reaction to the rejected plans.

Councillor Robert Nemeth, who was on the panel that recommended the winning bid, said it would take something "extreme" to knock the chosen Rob Starr and Crest Nicholson scheme off course.

His comments come after Nick Lomax, of Brighton's LCE Architects, released his drawings for the losing bid which was done in collaboration with French builders Bouyges Developments.

The Rob Starr plans were chosen ahead of Lomax's by councillors in January.

Most readers we approached yesterday said they preferred the rejected design but cllr Nemeth played down the chances of a reversal of the decision.

He said: “It would take something quite extreme, something huge, to rock it off course now.

“They [Rob Starr and Crest Nicholson] are there now. There’s no provision to re-pick – it would have to be a whole new plan.

“It would have to be back to the drawing board.”

It is believed the losing design was nearly twice the £166 million cost of the Starr scheme.

Council leader Warren Morgan, who also sat on the panel, said the process was not primarily an architecture competition.

He said: "It was a process designed to deliver a scheme that could provide what the community needs, and could deliver it financially."

Council officials yesterday refused to get drawn into whether it was too late to put a stop to the current scheme.

But contracts are yet to be signed and the designs, which may still change, are yet to be given planning approval.

Cllr Morgan added: “Financial deliverability was always central to the process, and that is what informed the final decision.

"Ultimately it was financial considerations, not architectural design, that scuppered the previous scheme, and our aim throughout has been to prevent a repeat of that."

Mr Lomax released his snubbed plans on Thursday because he felt it was important for people to see what they could have had.

His plans for 660 flats in a counter-slanted style with a glass-fronted leisure centre have drawn praise from the public.

Argus reader Philip Hilton gave the Lomax scheme "ten out of ten" on Facebook, saying it was "a very modern structure" while Chris Browne contacted us to say "The rejected design has class and would enhance the seafront with excitement."

After the initial winning plans were criticised for being drab, Mr Starr said he would welcome improvement ideas from the public.

Mr Nemeth added: "Had I been involved earlier, I would have shown the designs to the public from the outset.

"I like elements of each scheme but there is sadly no pick ’n’ mix option. I am confident Rob Starr is listening and that changes will be made to reflect the views of the good people of Hove."