A 37-story residential tower will be the focal point of the new site and there will be 17 new waterfront buildings for residential and commercial space, new bars and restaurants, a mechanical "closing bridge" linking the outer walls of the marina, a new promenade and a 2km pedestrian and cycle path around the marina.

In all, there will be 1000 apartments, including 400 allocated to affordable housing for key workers. An integrated transport plan - financially supported by this development - will back the scheme to enhance links between the marina and Brighton.

The scheme, currently in its early stages, is being designed by architectural firm Wilkinson Eyre, famous for the Gateshead Millennium Bridge, or Blinking Eye bridge as it is popularly known.

Ken Bodfish, leader of Brighton and Hove City Council, welcomed the Brighton Marina scheme, saying: "I am pleased to see another imaginative set of proposals coming forward for the city, in particular, linking job creation to training programmes, mixed developments which integrate 40% affordable key worker housing and a sustainable approach to building, transport and energy efficiency."

Andrew Goodall, managing director of Brunswick Developments, added: "The scheme will not only bring new jobs, residents and facilities, but also promises to enhance the marina as an all-round leisure venue, offering new restau-rants and a walkway around the whole site."