Chris Tomlinson, Eon development manager for the 700MW project, said the decision by the government to accept the proposals for examination was an “important milestone”.
Proposals for the 175 turbine array were withdrawn in January after Eon failed to consult neighbouring local authorities over the plans.
Eon has altered the proposals following feedback from more than 1,500 people and organisations in Sussex.
These include reducing the windfarm area to around half of the area awarded by The Crown Estate in January 2012, which will reduce the visual impact by more than 35 per cent, and lowering the maximum number of potential turbines by 20.
Other alterations include a quicker method to install the onshore cable, tailored reconstruction to reduce the impact on chalk grasslands, and “minor realignments of the cable route” to avoid ecologically sensitive areas.
A final decision on whether planning consent will be granted will not be made until summer 2014.