The site must provide affordable housing and community facilities

The derelict Preston Barracks plot has been earmarked for hundreds of new homes and businesses, creating more than 1,000 jobs.

The four partnerships who have been shortlisted - Urban Life, Urban Catalyst, CDHA and Rokeagle - are to present their plans to bodies including Brighton and Hove City Council on Friday.

The council, which says it is looking for a "striking" design, hopes to announce the winning developer by December.

If this city is going to lead the way in the South East, these designs will certainly set the benchmark Simon Burgess, Brighton and Hove City Council In pictures: Back to the future

The council's finance chief Simon Burgess said: "This is quite possibly the most exciting group of designs for East Brighton we have ever seen.

"Any one of them will transform the current site.

"If this city is going to lead the way in the South East, these designs will certainly set the benchmark."

The contenders were selected on the basis of their provision of local jobs, homes and community facilities such as a health and fitness centre, creche, doctor's surgery and shops.

A decision on the 2.2 hectare site is due by December

Plans for the 2.2 hectare Lewes Road site must include space for 1,100 jobs and 260 units of housing, of which 40% should be affordable.

Peter Field, chairman of Brighton and Hove Regeneration Partnership, said: "We want a striking, high-specification design, which would create a gateway to the city from the north east.

"The finalists will be judged according to various criteria including energy efficiency, jobs created, self-containment of parking, quality of open spaces and encouragement of public transport, cycling and walking."

Lewes Road is one of several areas of the city identified by the council as a potential site for buildings more than six storeys tall.

The tall buildings study aimed to find a sustainable way to meet future housing needs and population growth.