The first pictures of the proposed £100 million redevelopment of a trading estate have been revealed.

Developers want to transform the Sackville Trading Estate in Hove into a public square surrounded by homes, shops, restaurants, offices and a supermarket.

The scheme will generate more than 500 jobs and provide 170 homes.

The new flats will be large in response to Brighton and Hove City Council's request for family-sized homes and all will have access to roof terraces.

Parkridge Developments, which was behind the Waterfront Building in Brighton Marina, believe this will be Hove's first square for 100 years.

Access to the underground car park will be through a "pod" which will double up as a cafe and developers hope the square will be used for public events.

Nine large shops will be on site including a 2,500 sq m supermarket, half the size of the Tesco in Church Road, Hove. Restaurants and cafes will also be on site.

Offices will be spilt between the two buildings in Sackville Road and aimed at small and medium sized companies.

Some 70 affordable homes will also be provided across the five-acre site.

Developers said the scheme would be "green and sustainable" and involve low-carbon technology and renewable energy sources.

David Carvey, development director at Parkridge, said: "There is a very significant amount of demand as Brighton and Hove is constrained in space but it is very affluent and a lot of retailers are looking for space."

Ben Holmes, of planners Holmes Antill, added: "The Government is moving the development industry to be more innovative and sustainable.

"If we are not using these types of places then we will have go into Green Belt sites."

Concerns have been raised that the redevelopment with add to congestion in an already traffic-choked area but Mr Holmes said the developers were already in discussion with the council over changes to the junction at the Old Shoreham Road and the entrance to the site on Sackville Road.

He added: "Traffic is a big issue on every development and the council has been looking at the junction for some time.

"We are working closely to make sure what we do links in with that."

Developers hope the scheme will be finished by the end of 2010, if it receives planning permission.

A two-day exhibition is being held at Hove Methodist Church in Portland Road, Hove, tomorrow, between 11am and 8pm, and on Wednesday, between 10am and 3pm.

A website will be launched at the end of the month and neighbours are being urged to take part in the consultation.

For more images, see today's The Argus newspaper.

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