The foundation of the University of Sussex in 1960 was the best thing to have happened to Brighton and Hove since the end of the Second World War.

It helped stop the decline of Brighton into a fading resort. It brought an influx of intelligent young people just when the town was starting to show its age.

The university became one of Brighton’s biggest employers and gained a good reputation as a centre of intellectual excellence.

By establishing itself at Falmer, it also proved the possibility of building a major development away from the seafront.

But these days another institution is running Sussex close for its beneficial impact on the city – and its rise has been even more remarkable.

I refer to the University of Brighton, which in 1960 was nothing more than a disparate collection of unconnected colleges.

The art college in Grand Parade and the neighbouring college of technology were soon joined by a new college training teachers directly opposite the Sussex campus at Falmer.

They merged and became a polytechnic before being granted university status by the Government, There was rapid expansion, particularly on the technology front, with the skyscraper Cockcroft and Watts buildings plonked in Lewes Road. An old factory facing them was turned into an administrative block called Mithras House.

At Falmer, the curious collection of undistinguished, spread out buildings was given a new heart. Working with Sussex and the main hospital trust, Brighton has helped create one of the best medical schools in the country. Its co-operation led to the creation of the American Express Community Stadium.

There is more to come, particularly in central Brighton where the university has its eye on several sites for both student housing and artistic development.

Meanwhile, it has also expanded into Eastbourne and Hastings, two sizeable seaside towns which had previously lacked university education. It has benefited both resorts, particularly Hastings, which for years has suffered unduly from poverty and deprivation.

Now the University of Brighton is planning a further expansion at Horsham. It is seeking to buy the substantial former Novartis site in Wimblehurst Road. The healthcare company at one time employed 900 people there but took advantage of cheaper labour in other parts of the world.

Horsham is vastly different from the seaside towns where the university has become established. With 55,000 people, it is only half the size of Hastings.

It is easily the most prosperous large town in Sussex, with a high proportion of residents saying how happy they are to live there.

It has low unemployment, reasonable wages and a negligible problem with homelessness.

Horsham is only 30 miles away from London, with good rail connections to the capital along two different lines.

It is also not far from the M23, the M25 and motorway access to most parts of the country.

Crucially, it is close to Gatwick, easily the biggest employer in Sussex, and is part of what is known as the Gatwick Diamond area.

The new campus could create 2,250 jobs and pull in a staggering £1.7 billion of investment into the area during the next decade.

By giving Horsham university status, it would stop talented people moving away and fill one of the few gaps in the town’s portfolio.

The University of Brighton would add to its 20,000 students, 2,700 staff and an annual turnover of £180 million, already impressive figures. It is already one of the biggest organisations in Sussex, let alone Brighton.

There is a long way to go before this ambitious expansion becomes a reality. Even with the enthusiastic backing of Horsham District Council, negotiations are likely to be time-consuming and tricky.

But moving into Horsham would be a different kind of venture for a university used to dealing with coastal resort problems. It would make Brighton’s assets seem more solid and would expand it northwards in a new direction.

Sir David Watson has been rightly acclaimed for his foresight in creating a coherent campus on the coast.

The current vice-chancellor, Professor Julian Crampton, is a quieter, more diffident character but is even more ambitious.

At a time when new development in much of the county has stalled, it seems there is no stopping the relentless rise of the University of Brighton.