Plans for the multi-million pound regeneration of one of the biggest ports in Sussex have been given the go-ahead.

The proposals for Newhaven will create hundreds of jobs and new homes and are expected to give the town a major boost.

Developers behind the project said the decision was the “right one for Newhaven.”

The plan, known as Eastside is a joint proposal by developers Avalon, supermarket Asda and housebuilder Barratt Homes.

It will create a supermarket with up to 400 jobs, a pub, 14 commercial units and almost 200 homes on greenfield land behind the Brightwell Industrial Estate.

A rival bid for the redevelopment of the Railway Quarter, which would have led to a Tesco store being built on the port side, was rejected.

Council planners said the two separate bids both offered significant development opportunities but only one should be approved.

Scores of residents were at a special planning committee held at Tideway School in Southdown Road, Newhaven to discuss the plans on Wednesday night.

Newhaven Town Council leader Judith Ost, said it would be keeping a very close eye on developments.

She said: “There are concerns about the potential impact this will have on shops in the town centre and the effect of homes on greenfield land.”