THE £200 million King Alfred seafront development could be higher with 80 more flats because of rising costs, Brexit and problems delivering affordable housing.

The final plans are still being drawn up for the Hove seafront project but it is expected that initial proposals for 560 flats and 18 storey towers will need to be increased.

SaveHove campaigner Valerie Paynter called on Brighton and Hove City Council to stick by their guns and insist developer Crest Nicholson deliver the scheme outlined in their winning bid.

Rob Starr, of the scheme’s partner the Starr Trust, said it was likely there would be more storeys but the development would not become “crazy high”.

He said the changes were necessary as plans were drawn up three years ago and financial considerations had changed.

The winning bid to rebuild the leisure centre was selected a year ago ahead of a rival bid consisting of 660 flats and 20 storeys led by French construction firm Bouygues.

The Starr Trust proposed a £40 million leisure centre with a 25 metre eight-lane swimming pool, a sports hall with capacity for eight badminton courts and a 120-station gym.

A developers’ agreement is being drawn up and Mr Starr said he hoped that would be completed soon to allow the start of public consultation, originally scheduled for last autumn, and then the submission of a planning application.

Ms Paynter said she had real concerns the current process would mirror the previous failed attempt by developer Karis to develop the site.

That plan collapsed in 2008 after their main backer pulled out.

She said: “I’m really worried that this will become a Karis mark II, even with 750 flats there the district valuer described it as borderline unviable.

“The last scheme got planning permission for 750 flats, so what is going to stop Crest doing this again and go for more housing?

“I think it falls on the council to say to Crest ‘stand and deliver’ on what you promised when you won the bid.

“The risk is Crest could just walk away, it becomes a chess game, this is what developers do.”

Mr Starr said: “We put the bid together nearly three years ago.

“There have been a lot of changes in that time which is why it has to be revised.

"What has changed is construction costs and future values, with the whole Brexit thing everything is up in the air.

"The values of the flats are what pays for everything and life has become more complicated since July this year.

"We are not looking at changing the scheme but the extra units are simply there to enable us to put in the affordable housing.

"It is a big issue for all developers at the moment because housing associations aren't there to run them."

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said legal, financial, and contractual discussions with the preferred developer has included a review of scheme viability.

He added: "Progress is being made and it is hoped that it will be possible to report to the policy, resources and growth committee soon. No final plans have been decided.”