This is how an artistic tower of glass will look if it is built on the site of a former garage showroom.

Architects believe the designer building would transform the seafront in Kingsway, Hove, but neighbours fear it would blight their lives.

Scores of people have complained about the proposed scheme, on the site of a former garage, which developers hope would provide 98 fashionable homes with seafront views overlooking Hove Lagoon .

The people behind the scheme said top architects were flooding to Brighton and Hove because there was an atmosphere of optimism about innovative design.

But the scheme has failed to attract optimism from residents living near the site who said they would be forced to live in the shadow of the tower.

Architects Alan Phillip Associates said their development is designed as a landmark gateway to the city and a building of architectural distinction.

They said the tall part of the building is only in one corner of the site and drops to five storeys and then two storeys "as it meets the domestic context of neighbouring environments to the north".

The detailed drawings of the scheme, shown by The Argus for the first time today, show the tower would be between two and 12 storeys tall.

Architects hope parts of the building would be works of art.

Air vents from the underground car park would be designed by students from the Royal College of Art and a trough of water with Japanese-style bridges, is planned for the communal garden.

At night, the building would glow in different ways as light is reflected off the glass.

The development, marking the entrance to Brighton and Hove from the west, would also include basement and surface parking for 89 vehicles. A second building of flats and offices ranging in height from two to seven storeys would back onto Hove suburbs.

Architects have included several design features which they said would create a development to help regenerate the area. A column of light at the eastern edge of the building would illuminate the city at night and rooftop gardens would sit above some of the homes, 39 of which are low-cost.

First floor offices housed by a curtain of glass would appear to make the rest of the building hover above it, while several sliding doors at the front of each apartment would mean the face of the building would be constantly changing.

Developer Berkeley Homes submitted the planning application to Brighton and Hove City Council this week after initial consultation with residents. If it is accepted, construction could begin soon and the tower could be built by 2006.

But neighbours in Roman Road, Brittany Road and surrounding streets remain unconvinced about the project and have said the tower would be a poor replacement for the Caffyns garage, which was built in the Thirties and demolished last summer.

Shannon Stafford, a 37-year-old full-time mother from central Hove, had made an offer on a property in Roman Road, which joins Kingsway. But after hearing about the developers' plans she has put her moving plans on hold.

Mrs Stafford said: "The main problem is the height of the development. Nothing along the Kingsway is that high and it would tower over the whole area. People will be able to see into other people's gardens all around."

Sue Rea, of Brittany Road, Hove, said: "This is completely out of nature with the other houses and shops. The effect on this area will be disastrous."