Multi-million pound regeneration plans could lead to gridlock, parking chaos and small shops suffering, residents have warned.

They are concerned about the implications of opening up the commercial heart of Eastbourne to the biggest redevelopment in its history.

Part of the reason for the overhaul is to lure back shoppers who have drifted to towns like Brighton and Tunbridge Wells in the past ten years.

Hundreds of new jobs, housing and leisure facilities could emerge under the plans unveiled by Eastbourne Borough Council last month.

A shopping complex double the size of the Arndale Centre could be built under the proposals, bringing in huge investment.

The plans also look at boosting transport infrastructure, offering a gateway to the town centre that integrates the rail network with people arriving in cars, taxis, buses, motorcycles and bicycles.

In addition, there are plans for housing, 30 per cent of which will be low cost for key workers such as nurses and teachers.

An extended public consultation period under way now will end on January 7.

The plans will then be revised before they go to full council on February 23.

Some businesses, including directors at the Enterprise Shopping Centre, support the plans saying they will bring huge improvements for firms, shoppers and visitors.

However, the Pevensey Road Neighbourhood Association believes a possible change of ring road from Susans Road to Cavendish Place, would hamper businesses and residents.

The group says no parking would be available for residents, traders and shoppers.

They fear building a new shopping complex may harm small shops in other parts of town.

The association says developing the coach station at Cavendish Place would cause "chaos" and they dispute council claims coach parking in the town centre is vital for day-trippers.

Association officials have also asked council bosses a series of questions to gain reassurance part of central Eastbourne will not be turned into a ghost town.

Chairman Yvonne Burrell said: "Given the need for a new complex, what action is the council going to take to avoid this area of town becoming a ghost town?

"How does it propose to attract shoppers not only to the shopping centre but away from it to the individual shops or does it see this part of town as only providing restaurants and tourist gift shops?

"At a time when we have already lost a route into town and Ashford Road will no longer be a through road, how does the council propose dealing with the inevitable increase in volume generated by not only the shopping complex but also by the proposed arts centre (next to the Congress Theatre)?

"These questions have to be faced before irreversible decisions are made. These issues affect everyone who lives in or visits Eastbourne.

"It is vital that everyone has the opportunity to see the whole picture before letting individual issues pass by without contention."

A council spokesman said all views and opinions were welcomed but it would be inappropriate to discuss specific details at such an early stage.