A blueprint for the biggest regeneration in a town's history will move to the next phase after winning the support of councillors.

The multi-million-pound plans promise to bring hundreds of new jobs, housing and leisure facilities to Eastbourne town centre.

A retail complex double the size of the Arndale Centre could be built under the plans, bringing huge investment.

It has been feted as arguably the largest and most significant single development Eastbourne has ever seen.

Consultation with residents and businesses will start next month after members of the borough council last night approved the scheme.

Officials believe many thousands of new shoppers, who normally visit places like Brighton, will be lured to Eastbourne.

Eastbourne finance councillor Ian Lucas said: "We are very excited by the potential we have in Eastbourne to bring in the town centre regeneration plan.

"It will be a tremendous prospect and will help the economy of the town."

However, controversy is brewing amid fears homes and businesses could be subject to compulsory purchase plans.

People in rented accommodation would be paid a "disturbance" allowance as well as a home loss payment to compensate them.

And businesses would get the full open market value of their property. In addition, moving costs such as property fees, stamp duty and temporary loss of profits would be met.

Council officers said in the past ten years Eastbourne has been losing out because of developments in East Sussex and beyond, such as in Brighton, Tunbridge Wells and Hastings.

To compete with rival towns and to halt further decline, they said expansion and improvement of the town centre is vital.

Surveys have shown public demand for an improved town centre. However, the council said the vision is not just centred on drawing more shoppers.

Its plans will 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.

The zone, which is likely to change, includes the entire Arndale Centre, Ashford Road, Commercial Road, the Enterprise Centre, the Grade II-listed station and Terminus Road.

Following last night's meeting, an extended consultation from November 15 to January 7 will take place.

The draft planning brief will be revised following consultation and it is expected to go to full council on February 23.