THE first images have been released of a proposed £200 million redevelopment for 600 homes on a former industrial estate.

International developer Mountpark held a public exhibition for its plans for Sackville Trading Estate and Corralls coal yard in Hove.

The scheme also includes 50,000sqft of offices and retail space.

The event on Saturday in St Barnabas Church, in Sackville Road, Hove, was the first chance for the public to see the scale of the project.

The 3.6 hectare site, half the size of Hove Recreation Ground, features a new square with shops, offices and workshops to the north of the site facing Old Shoreham Road.

A new street of houses will be built, along with 12 four to six storey apartments in a residential quarter in the south of the site, near the railway line.

Mountpark has worked on plans for the site, owned by the National Coal Pension Board, for more than ten years.

Managing director Philip O’Callaghan said: “This will be a catalyst towards wider regeneration in the Hove Station area, and the larger Brighton and Hove area as well.”

He said the development would aim to include 40 per cent social housing and bring 475 full-time office jobs. He also claimed the site would raise £1.5 million in tax from residents.

Residents expressed concern about the size of the development and the impact on local infrastructure. Rosie Davenport, of Sackville Road, said: “Hove definitely needs regeneration but the issue will be the congestion. They need to ensure the houses are unable to have cars or that there is a restriction so people can park and drive freely.

“But also in terms of the retail, it shouldn’t be so big that there’s going to be a lot more traffic.”

Liz Hoplin, head of planning for Brighton and Hove City Council, tried to calm fears, citing good transport links in the area.

She said: “As part of any application we will be challenging Mountpark very hard around how they can minimise impact in terms of car travel and they will have to come up with proposals for sustainable transport.”

A planning application is expected to made within the year.