Plans for the £100 million redevelopment of a trading estate are expected to create 500 jobs.

Developers want to transform the Sackville Trading Estate in Hove into a public square surrounded by 170 homes, shops, restaurants, offices and a supermarket.

The new flats will be large, in response to Brighton and Hove City Council's request for family-sized homes, and all will have access to roof terraces.

Parkridge Developments held a two-day exhibition for residents and businesses at Hove Methodist Church so that the emerging plans could be reviewed.

Philip O'Callaghan, managing director of Parkridge, said despite the difficult economic outlook, the scheme would be built if given planning permission.

He said: "We spoke to over 250 people at our exhibition and received a lot of positive feedback and suggestions - especially for the public square we are proposing.

"The feedback we received has informed our design which we now feel truly reflects the local communityís aspirations for the area.

"With the current economic situation causing so many other schemes in the city to be delayed, we would like to reassure the local community that if we achieve planning permission this is a scheme that Parkridge, in conjunction with the owners of the site Coal Pension Properties Ltd, will undertake.

"The Waterfront development at Brighton Marina took Parkridge 15 months to build following planning permission and has rejuvenated this area of the Marina."

The investment of around £100 million includes 72 affordable homes targeted at key-workers, underground car parking and improvements to pedestrian crossings and the look of Sackville Road.

Nine large shops will be on site including a 2,500sqm supermarket, half the size of the Tesco in Church Road, Hove.

Offices will be spilt between the two buildings in Sackville Road and aimed at small to medium-sized companies.

Concerns have been raised that the redevelopment will add to jams in an already congested area.

Parkridge have said changes to the junction at the Old Shoreham Road and the entrance to the site on Sackville Road were being discussed with the council.

The proposed public square, said to be Hove's first in over 100 years, will include trees, contemporary furniture, lighting and host community events.

The plans also aim to be sustainable with extensive roof gardens, improved bus facilities, car clubs and car share schemes and investment in the cycle network.

Developers hope the scheme will be finished by the end of 2010 if it receives planning permission.

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