Plans for the multi-million pound redevelopment of Shoreham's derelict Ropetackle site have been given the go-ahead after a public meeting with councillors and developers.

Members of Adur District Council granted outline planning permission for a £20 million redevelopment of the riverside area.

They imposed a limit of 205 homes, instead of the 220 planned, and the density of the homes must be agreed at a later date.

The public meeting was held before the regular Adur planning meeting last night because of the huge interest in the eyesore site.

The proposed redevelopment includes a town square with a community centre, and was put forward by the South-East England Development Agency (Seeda) and developer Berkeley Homes.

It drew a mixed response from more than 100 people who packed the public meeting.

Peter Wood, of the Shoreham Business and Traders' Association, said: "In general we feel this plan has been a long time coming and would unhesitatingly support it. The impression people get when they come into town is that Ropetackle is a gaping hole and it's an impression which we need to change."

Alex Lincoln, who lives in Victoria Road, said he was concerned about the impact of about 400 new cars on roads around the site.

Resident Andrew Horton said: "The development is overwhelmingly housing. In Shoreham we've got a shortage of jobs and I would like to see the site provide more jobs for people of all ages."

Christine O'Brien of the Ropetackle Association, which represents people living in the 12 homes backing on to the site, said: "They're not thinking about us at all. These new blocks will be on our doorsteps and we've been told we're going to have to put up with it."

Philip Dibsdale of Seeda said potential problems would be dealt with in the final application following another round of public consultation.

Ropetackle, on the east bank of the River Adur, has been an eyesore for 35 years.

Seeda bought it in January last year and earmarked it for a £20 million redevelopment as part of a Shoreham Harbour regeneration scheme.