Ninety-seven per cent of people have objected to multi-million pound seafront plans near a famous Sussex arts venue.

Of 1,465 respondents, 1,417 opposed regenerating Bexhill seafront near the landmark De La Warr Pavilion.

The plans involve building a 60-bedroom hotel on a putting green next to the Grade I listed art deco pavilion.

In addition, there are plans for offices, apartments and shops based separately on part of the pavilion car park farther east.

Developers say the plans would revive Bexhill by creating 500 jobs over five years, attract business, enterprise and tourists and give young people a reason to stay.

But the plans have generated unprecedented protests. Objectors have signed petitions, sent letters and organised silent vigils since it emerged the development would be built next to the pavilion.

Figures revealing the extent of opposition emerged at a Rother District Council seminar where opponents and supporters stated their cases. These included the regeneration company behind the plans, Sea Space, the Save Our Seafront (SOS) lobby, Bexhill Chamber of Commerce and the Association of Bexhill Citizens.

Afterwards, SOS chairman John Lee said: "During our slot we reinforced our total opposition to Sea Space's plans for the seafront.

"We understand that the outcome of the consultation revealed our concerns are felt by many people in Bexhill.

"We have submitted a detailed alternative plan for the regeneration of Bexhill which achieves all the economic objectives set out in Sea Space's plans but not near the seafront."

Graham Burgess, head of regeneration at Rother District Council, said many of the objectors were in favour of reviving Bexhill but opposed using the seafront for Sea Space's grand designs, drawn up by international architects Ahrends, Burton and Koralek (ABK).

The next stage will involve Sea Space attempting to buy the land from the district council in order for development to go ahead.

As The Argus revealed last month, the SOS lobby is counting on a legal loophole to derail the process. Its members have lodged an application with East Sussex County Council to get the putting green legally recognised as a town green.

If successful, the bid - submitted under the Commons Registration Act 1965 - would protect the green from development and leave the hotel plans in disarray.

Sea Space director John Shaw said: "We are pleased the regeneration proposals have sparked great interest and debate in Bexhill.

"We acknowledge a vociferous campaign by the Save Our Seafront protest group to get a petition against any seafront development. But regeneration is not just for the most vocal group but for all in Bexhill and particularly for the business community and young people, as its core purpose is to create a viable, prosperous future for the town.

"We've been hugely encouraged by the strong, considered support for our proposals pledged by many influential local groups, including the Bexhill Chamber of Commerce, the Bexhill Regeneration Partnership and Bexhill Youth Council."

Thursday February 17, 2005