Campaigners have renewed a defiant hands-off message to developers wanting to build a huge DIY store on an exclusive harbour site.

Opponents are gearing up to overturn the bid to build a B&Q store near the Crumbles Retail Park at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne.

An application by the store and Gazeley Properties was rejected by Eastbourne Borough Council in May, despite officers' approval.

B&Q wanted to build a garden centre, builders' yard and 540-space car park, making it seven times the size of the existing Hampden Park B&Q in Eastbourne.

The bid was turned down when councillors heard residents' concerns about round-the-clock deliveries, traffic, noise and pollution.

An appeal against the decision has now been lodged with the Government, which could lead to a public inquiry.

Residents at Sovereign Harbour intend to redouble efforts to ensure the plan is never passed and are resubmitting their objections.

Chris Peppiatt, a member of action group Sovereign Harbour Residents' Association, said: "We will never back down.

"The amount of traffic this plan would generate would devastate the area.

"Services, such as schools and doctors, are already severely overstretched round here.

"A huge store would have disastrous effects. We will continue to fight to make sure this never gets the go-ahead."

The applicants predict hundreds of jobs would be created if the scheme is approved.

But residents insist it would blight the town's prime harbour site.

Don Morgan, planning director for Gazeley, said: "We're confident the reasons for refusing permission will not stand up.

"Council officers have said there will be no significant effect on the town centre. We agree with them."

The residents' association will hold its next meeting at Haven School in Atlantic Drive, Eastbourne, on September 10. Its web site is at www.infar.co.uk/shra