PEOPLE living or working at Brighton Marina could help shape its future if a plan is approved by councillors.

The complex could become the first designated Business Neighbourhood Area in Brighton and Hove.

Brighton Marina neighbourhood forum, alongside Rottingdean coastal councillors Mary Mears and David Smith, applied to Brighton and Hove City Council for the status to be applied.

The proposal will be considered by the council’s economic, development and culture committee on Thursday.

If approved, the forum will have the power to draw up its own neighbourhood development plan, setting out planning policies for the use of the land, and more people living and working in the area would be able to put forward their views.

The plan would become a formal part of the planning system and would be taken into account when applications are considered for an area bounded by the cliffs to the north of the marina, the harbour arms to the south, east and west, and the access road.

Committee chairman, Councillor Geoffrey Bowden, said: “Brighton Marina neighbourhood forum is seeking the opportunity to develop a shared vision for the area and have a greater say in shaping the development and growth of the area.

“The council’s planning team has been supporting members of the forum and the application for a Business Neighbourhood Area is the first in Brighton and Hove.”

Campaigners have been fighting against a high-rise tower block at the marina. The Brighton Marina Action Group wants to halt the proposed £250 million expansion and mounted a legal challenge against company Brunswick Developments.

Work on the seafront site, including more than 850 flats, 2,000 sqm of shops and leisure space, has already started but the group of around 80 residents has raised £45,000 to fund legal action and hopes to stop the 40-storey tower block after the case was permitted to be heard at the Court of Appeal.