DEVELOPMENT plans to provide some of the greenest homes in Europe have been amended.

Architects and planners have spent the last four years completing designs for the zero-carbon, climate-neutral community of buildings known as PortZED.

The multi-million pound development, which is proposed for a largely derelict site in Basin Road North, near Kingsway, Hove, has received national praise for its eco-design.

But, in the face of an organised campaign by hundreds of residents, who described the proposal as an “eco technology showroom”, the Hove-based designer has revised the scheme.

This includes the dropping of the wind turbine plans, which would have operated between the “egg box” shaped towers, after concerns were expressed by environmental health and planning officers from Brighton and Hove City Council.

Colin Brace, of Boho Green, said: “Although the removal of the turbines is in our opinion a missed opportunity, they were the cherry on an exceptionally fine cake.

“By making this gesture we are enabling the city to enjoy a sustainable feast at the earliest opportunity and averting the need for protracted negotiations which could delay the project.”

Mr Brace said the firm would continue to work to develop the prototype wind turbine design within Shoreham Port, which would create local jobs.

The amended plans also show the number of flats has dropped from 67 to 62.

Mr Brace added two of the six blocks had also been reduced by one storey but the on-site visitor centre and green business hub remain.

Despite the changes Jane Galvin, of the Kingsway and West Hove Residents’ Association, said: “The developers have taken out some damaging features but left the rest.

“Houses opposite would still be deprived of sunlight throughout the winter months. What is more, the buildings were specifically designed to speed up the wind for the turbines, so now they have left us with wind tunnels.

“We consider these issues still justify refusal of this planning application.”

Valerie Paynter, of Save Hove, said: “It’s more about an eco-technology showroom than it’s about sustainable houses for residents that are living there.”

Any development could provide up to £400,000 towards providing local education, play space and transport facilities in the area through section 106 contributions.

A council spokeswoman said the plans were still under consideration but no due date for the decision had been set.