Conservationists have produced a damning report on the latest blueprint for architect Frank Gehry's £290 million King Alfred towers.

The Regency Society says the scheme on the seafront in Hove would be "garish" and "overbearing, domineering, harsh and unfriendly".

The society has consistently opposed the idea of building more than 700 flats while reconstructing the King Alfred leisure centre in Kingsway.

In its new report, it questions the environmental credentials of the scheme which it says would have a "devastating impact" on people living nearby, some of whom would have their "sunlight and daylight reduced to an unacceptable degree".

It queries whether Frank Gehry's reputation has allowed him to avoid tough scrutiny by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (Cabe).

Michael Ray, the society's chairman, writes: "The Regency Society has sent representations to the city council urging that the Gehry scheme in its present form should be rejected.

"The society has particular concerns about the impact of the proposals, even in their revised form, on neighbouring properties and especially on their outlook, daylight and sunlight.

"It feels that the latest version of the proposals still incorporates internal piazzas, which will be overshadowed and unpleasant.

"The design of the towers leaves too much to chance and there must be grave doubts about the suitability of the materials to be used. It abhors the garish colours selected for the sports centre.

"Although claimed to be a green sustainable scheme, the society believes it does not live up to the claims.

"Overall there would be too much development on this crucial seafront site and before any consent is granted the proposals need to be severely cut back and redesigned."

If the council approves the planning application due to come before it next year, the society wants the plans to be "called in" by the Government Office South East for a public inquiry. Its previous calls for it to intervene have failed.

John Small, secretary of the Regency Society, said: "The principal reason for calling it in is because it is land that is owned by Brighton and Hove City Council and therefore they are making a decision about something which has a big economic effect on them."

Last month the council's policy and resources committee agreed to support the planning application with an amendment that the council would work with developer Karis to move some of the 754 homes to another site.

Karis has submitted its planning application without relocating any properties.

The scheme would provide 275 affordable homes and community facilities such as a surgery, pharmacy and police station.

Josh Arghiros, managing director of Karis Developments, said: "Both Cabe and English Heritage are now public in their support of the project.

"I believe that if the Regency Society looked at the fine detail. they would see their concerns in relation to overshadowing and lack of daylight are actually unfounded and the sustainability and green credentials are second to none.

"In terms of suitability for the site, if they sit and look for it properly, they would see the project is supported by local infrastructure. We are very happy with it and we think it is one of the most exciting projects in Britain. The Regency Society are one of the few groups that don't back it."