The first independent test of public opinion on the controversial King Alfred leisure complex has found two-thirds of the city back its development.

Leading pollsters ICM revealed the findings in a 28-page report released exclusively to The Argus.

Developer Karis, which commissioned the survey, claimed the results proved that the silent majority was in favour of Frank Gehry's plans for Hove seafront but opponents of the scheme have rubbished the poll.

A new sports complex, shops and 751 homes are planned for the site of the crumbling leisure centre, which has been the subject of a series of failed development bids.

But the £290 million project has not been without its dissenters, with Conservative councillors and residents groups determined to fight it.

The poll by ICM, an independent public opinion research group, questioned 1,000 city residents. The results showed that for every opponent there are three supporters.

Even in Hove, where protests have been the most vociferous, 60 per cent declared their support while 23 per cent were against.

Support was strongest among the under-54s, peaking at 69 per cent for 18 to 24-year-olds and the 45 to 54 age group.

Opposition was most commonly expressed by 55 to 64 year olds, of which 27 per cent were against and 57 per cent in favour.

Of those who supported the scheme, the biggest attraction was revealed to be the promise of new leisure facilities and the design by acclaimed architect Frank Gehry.

But the design was also the biggest concern to those opposed to the scheme, followed by the scale of the development.

More than half of those polled thought the King Alfred development would make Brighton and Hove a better city, 32 per cent said it would make no difference and nine per cent believed it would have a negative impact.

Josh Arghiros, Karis managing director, said: "This is a real endorsement of what we are trying to deliver for the people of Brighton and Hove.

"We've heard the noise generated by a small minority of people who are against the scheme but this is the first chance residents across the city have had to give their views and they have given our plans a resounding thumbs-up.

"The city needs the King Alfred scheme, business leaders are massively behind the scheme as they can see its benefits and now the people have made their choice clearly. Let's hope the politicians are listening."

Council leader Simon Burgess also backed the findings. He said: "Residents increasingly see the need for redevelopment that will deliver affordable housing and leisure facilities.

"People want to live in a bright and vibrant place that doesn't always look to the past.

"I am not surprised by the results but the poll cannot get in the way of ensuring that we get everything right even if it is very encouraging that people are showing such support."

However, Councillor Brian Oxley, leader of the Conservative group and opponent of the scheme, said he remained unconvinced by the results.

He said: "It may be a scientific study but I do not think the questions are detailed enough because people need to be asked how are we going to manage the traffic and where are people going to park."

The redevelopment is expected to come before a planning committee in the near future, representing the last major hurdle before the new project can go ahead.

But Coun Oxley said that if his party wrests control of the council in May's election he would review the authority's options on the project's future.

Valerie Paynter, of Save Hove, said it was easy to manufacture a result from a poll by asking the right questions.

She said: "This poll is desperation on the part of Karis. It is unrealistic to expect people to have the whole picture about the planning application if they have never looked at it."

  • To see bar graphs showing the results of the poll, click here

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