When designs to transform Shoreham harbour were unveiled four years ago, they sparked controversy among councillors, residents and boat owners.

Now executives at the port are convinced the latest plans present a vision which will work for everyone.

Landscaping, pedestrian walkways, a restaurant and other leisure facilities have been planned, which designers hope will bring a new vibrancy to the harbour.

The enterprise park on the north canal bank of Shoreham harbour is expected to create at least 500 jobs in the area.

The locations planned for industrial units and the marina will change places, moving the controversial business end of the development away from homes in Fishersgate and Southwick.

The business area will instead be built at the Albion Street end of what will be known as Port Shoreham North Bank Enterprise Village.

The area has fewer homes fronting the coast road and is already home to offices and industrial units.

Adur District Council was expected to give outline planning permission for analready submitted scheme at its planning meeting on Monday.

But the application was withdrawn by Shoreham Port Authority at the last minute because it believed the latest ideas were better.

When the original scheme was submitted in 1998, residents were concerned a proposed new junction on the A259 at The Gardens would increase traffic in surrounding streets.

People in homes overlooking the harbour feared an increase in noise and pollution from light industry expected at the enterprise park.

Boat owners said redevelopment would cut the number of berths at Lady Bee Marina, Southwick.

Brian Tatterton, chief executive of the port authority, asked consultants Chris Blandford Associates, based at Fourboys, near Uckfield, to come up with plans which addressed these concerns.

Mr Tatterton said: "I believe the new scheme is the best so far and offers something for everyone involved."

He said by moving the enterprise park there would be no need for a new junction at The Gardens, which caused residents such concern.

He said: "The move also means we will be able to create more berths at the marina end and will be talking to the boat owners about how to maximise the layout.

"They will have a dry area to store and work on their boats and a mechanical grab to get the boats in and out of the water."

The business part of the park will consist of starter units, offices and larger industrial units offering smaller firms the chance to expand.

Mr Tatterton said: "We already have a similar mix of starter units and offices at Hove Enterprise Centre at the eastern end of the harbour.

"In the past we have had nowhere for the starter firms to move to as their businesses grew and they have had to look elsewhere.

"Being able to offer them larger premises will mean we can keep firms here in future, creating more jobs for people in Southwick and Fishersgate, which are two of the poorest areas in the region."

Another positive aspect of the scheme is the possible relocation of HM Customs to Shoreham from its existing base in Southampton.

There are only four customs cutters in Britain, two of which are already moored at Shoreham Harbour.

Mr Tatterton said new facilities planned for the customs boats in the harbour would enable the remaining two to join them.

Shoreham lifeboat station would also move from its current location opposite the harbour entrance to the inner harbour where the port authority has set aside land for a new base.

The £5 million cost of the new enterprise village will be financed by the port authority, which plans to recoup the money using its income from land leases and rentals.

Port operations manager Tony Vaughan said the next step would be to consult the public.

He said: "We will hold public meetings and exhibitions to allow everyone to see what is being planned and have their say.

"This process should begin in the next two or three months after which any changes suggested will be taken into account.

"We should be able to submit a planning application for the revised project in about four months.

"Once we have planning permission it should take between 18 months and two years to complete the work."

The enterprise park will be the first tangible evidence of the overall regeneration plans for the harbour.

Key to the whole project will be the provision of tunnel or road link between the harbour and the A27 as well as a new road network inside the harbour.

A £100 million tunnel running under Hangleton and Portslade is seen as the least disruptive way of providing access.

Graham Moss, who drew up the blueprint for Shoreham Maritime, has warned that without it, only ten per cent of the harbour can be redeveloped.

Brian Tatterton believed this capacity would almost be reached once the enterprise park was built.

He also confirmed the link would be needed within the next five years if regeneration work was to continue.

He said: "People have been wondering if they would ever see anything happening in the harbour.

"There have been enough delays and talking.

"It is now time to get moving on a scheme which will bring jobs and money into the local economy."