Brighton Marina’s neighbours should learn within weeks whether permission to build seven tower blocks there will be granted by the Government.
The decision will be announced on or before Tuesday 13 July, according to Bob Neill, a Junior Minister at the Department for Communities and Local Government.
Mr Neill confirmed the deadline in a written reply to Simon Kirby, the new Conservative MP for Brighton Kemptown.
Mr Kirby had raised the matter in writing with Eric Pickles, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.
He asked Mr Pickles “when he expects to announce his decision on the Explore Living planning appeal in regard to Brighton Marina and if he will make a statement”.
The decision over whether Explore Living could build 1,300 homes in seven tower blocks had been expected earlier this year.
It was delayed in part because the general election was imminent.
It follows a six-week public inquiry held at the Brighton Centre at the end of last year, chaired by planning inspector Martin Pike on behalf of the Planning Inspectorate.
He is believed to have submitted his recommendation to Mr Pickles’s predecessor, the Labour MP John Denham, in April.
Mr Kirby is among a number of local Tories who opposed Explore Living’s proposals.
Explore’s plans for homes, shops, offices and public spaces on a site occupied by Asda and the Marina car park were rejected by Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee last year.
Planning officers had recommended that the scheme be approved.
Explore appealed against the council’s refusal to grant permission, prompting the public inquiry.
your really going to let explore people of all companies build on our lovely marina . These are the same people that after 5 years still have not finished 300 flats in saltdean. There slow, bad , incompetent builders.