The proposed King Alfred development is boosting the property market in Hove, a survey claims.

While house prices in the county have generally remained steady and in some cases dropped over the past 12 months, values in Hove have shot up by seven per cent, according to Halifax.

Regional manager David Whitehead, said: "The development of brownfield sites has had a positive effect on house prices in East Sussex.

"A large development has been proposed for the King Alfred site in Hove, where house prices have increased over the last year to an average £226,447.

"In addition, the former Caffyns Garage site in Seaford is due to be developed into a mixture of residential properties and retail sites."

The King Alfred proposals are by no means universally popular in Hove and have been the subject of protests by the Save Hove lobby group.

The £290 million seafront sports and housing project, designed by architect Frank Gehry, was criticised by Government advisers last week who said would be out of keeping with its surroundings and the complex would be too difficult for the public to access.

But Karis, the developer behind the project, believes the criticisms are "minor" and will not pose a threat to the scheme.

The Halifax house price index survey compares average property values in major towns for each of the past five years.

By far the biggest increase in the South-East has been in St Leonards, where prices have risen 119 per cent, from an average of £75,247 in 2001 to £164,639 now. It is still the cheapest place to buy a property in Sussex.

The most expensive is Haywards Heath, where an average home costs £276,200 and where prices have increased a relatively-modest 28 per cent since 2001.

Brighton has seen a 56 per cent increase in the same period but the market has now slowed and in the past 12 months dipped two per cent. The average price in the city is now £200,086. Mr Whitehead said the city was still popular despite the apparent lull.

He added: "Commuters to London continue to be attracted to three and four bedroom properties priced up to £350,000 which are within walking distance of the station or in the Seven Dials area.

"Young professional commuters are looking for one and two bedroom properties priced around £250,000 and are showing interest in the City Point development, located near the station."

Another hotspot is Gatwick, where prices have increased nine per cent in the last year to an average of £233,365. The biggest drop has been in Eastbourne, where prices have slumped by nine per cent in the past 12 months.