Developers behind plans for a £220 million seafront leisure centre are using a huge drill to unlock the secrets of the earth at depths of 40 metres.

Karis Holdings, which has invested millions of pounds on plans and preparatory work for its Frank Gehry-designed King Alfred Centre in Hove, is spending £170,000 to find out what conditions are like deep underground.

A drill in the corner of the car park of the dilapidated Thirties leisure centre has been taking samples of earth for more than a fortnight and is expected to be in operation until the end of next week.

The results of the site investigations will be used to help engineers decide how deep to drill and how much concrete will be needed to secure the buildings, should they be granted landowner's approval and planning consent.

The project's latest designs include towers about 60 and 75 metres high surrounded by ten smaller buildings and the leisure centre.

To make sure the towers stay up each would be supported by a platform of concrete three metres thick which would, in turn, be secured by up to 300 concrete columns a metre wide and up to 40 metres long.

The earth, which Karis said was fissured chalk, would be strengthened by concrete.

Josh Aghiros, chairman of Karis, said: "We have taken core samples before but not to this depth. They will tells us the exact amount of concrete we will need to use and how deep we will have to go."

The future of the complex, which would include 750 apartments and a £48 million sports centre, will be decided in the final stages of a process which has lasted more than two years.

On September 12 Brighton and Hove City Council, which owns the site in Kingsway, will vote on whether to allow the proposals to proceed to the planning committee or send them back to the drawing board.

Councillors are deeply divided over the project and the vote of Green Party convenor Keith Taylor, who says he has yet to make up his mind, could well determine its fate.

Friday, August 26 2005