Residents have reacted with horror to the prospect of "alien" red and green tower blocks soaring above Brighton Marina.

This week we revealed the first pictures of five new buildings Parkridge Developments is planning for the marina as part of a £50 million revamp.

The buildings have been designed by Brighton architect Piers Gough and include two 14-storey cylindrical blocks in the village square area.

The firm's plans also include £12 million in environmental and transport improvements to make the marina more attractive and accessible.

Residents have welcomed those promises but expect to battle against Parkridge's tower block ambitions.

Jerry Moss, treasurer of the Brighton Marina residents' association, said: "There are no objections to the transport and environmental improvements. They look very good.

"But the common reaction was that these new buildings were not at all in sympathy with their surroundings, in colour or style. They'll poke up over the cliffs.

"There will be a lot of controversy. We thought when the hotel was finished that would be the end of it but obviously not.

"I'm not sure Parkridge will be able to get all the retailers it wants. Their plans are certainly ambitious, but I think it will take a long time to come to fruition."

Peter Martin, chairman of the association's sub-committee devoted to the plans, said: "The village square is the heart of the marina but these buildings would be completely out of scale with the surroundings. They look alien."

He predicted protest petitions would be drawn up once the plans have been submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council at the end of this month.

The buildings would feature a total of residential units. Retailers such as Marks and Spencer and Ralph Lauren are in line for ground floor shops.

As well as the two 14-storey blocks, there would also be a glass complex welcoming people to the marina, a four-storey building in Merchant's Quay and a residential block connected to the cliffs by a suspended bridge.

The development will include a public viewing gallery with information about the cliffs' history and wildlife.

Parkridge managing director Philip O'Callaghan acknowledged there would be concerns about the height of the buildings but said they were trying to make the marina eye-catching and memorable for visitors.

Mr O'Callaghan said the proposals could change and public consultation would continue.

Brighton-born architect Piers Gough, who designed the buildings, said: "I don't see the cliff backdrop as sacrosanct. The good thing about the heights of these buildings is they will help the marina be seen from outside.

"They are not out of scale with the marina. In fact, they're really quite small towers. They will be elegantly done and will fit in very nicely.

"The marina has always been a very disappointing place despite the huge sums spent on it. I'm keen to make it a fun place people will want to keep coming back to."