Residents will get their first chance to see plans for the redevelopment of the Longley Industrial Estate.

Legal and General, the firm behind the project, is to host two public exhibitions on the plans to transform the industrial estate in New England Street, Brighton.

The proposals include more than 200 new homes for rent, in addition to around 3,000 square metres of new workspace for small businesses.

The New England Quarter development exhibitions will be the first chance residents get to have a look at Legal and General’s emerging plans for the site, with further consultation due to take place in the coming months.

The planned homes will be specifically built to rent by Legal and General, which will act as developer and long-term owner, offering flexible and long-term leases for future residents.

The firm said some of the new workspace will be affordable aimed at local start-ups and the creative industries.

Following the consultation with residents, Legal and General will prepare plans to apply for planning permission.

A spokesman for Legal and General said: “We are excited to be exhibiting our emerging plans for the Longley Industrial Estate in Brighton’s New England Quarter, delivering new homes and jobs for the city. We look forward to meeting local people, listening to feedback and answering questions on our initial proposals; which can deliver over 200 homes, designed specifically for rent, and around 3,000 square metres of workspace.”

Insurance firm Legal and General is one of the city’s biggest employers. The company said Brighton is the seventh city in the UK which it will bring a build-to-rent scheme to, offering “high quality, well managed and specifically designed” housing in busy urban areas. The build-to-rent scheme, a Government initiative launched in 2012 to increase the number of homes for rent in the private sector, offers funding through the Home Building Fund for development schemes.

Legal and General hopes to meet the demand of a high number of young professionals moving to the city with the planned scheme. The company expects to submit a planning application in the summer. The exhibition will be on Thursday, March 22 at Jurys Inn in Stroudley Road, Brighton. Another exhibition will take place on Saturday, March 24 at Brighthelm Church and Community Centre in North Road, Brighton.