The campaign to keep a Grade II-listed church from being knocked down and turned into flats has been stepped up.

Nearly a thousand signatures have been collected objecting to plans to demolish Holy Trinity Church in Blatchington Road, Hove, and several placard-wielding protests have been staged.

Residents including Coronation Street star Brian Capron are outraged at the loss of the church and the effects it will have on the conservation area they live in and said they would consider moving if they are given the go-ahead.

They said there was not enough infrastructure to support plans from Hyde Housing for 44 flats plus a youth advice centre, cafe and community hall. They say the development will look out of place in the area, would reduce their privacy and cause light and parking problems.

Mr Capron, of Denmark Villas, said: "What on earth are they thinking?

"The last thing we need in the centre of Hove is another block of flats - and to replace a beautiful church like that. I feel like moving.

"The church is the focal point of Hove and the only open space we have."

Sarah Geary, of Eaton Villas, said: "A lot of people feel they are not being consulted properly. Most are incredulous that this could happen.

"The church has not been made redundant yet and already planners are waiting in the wings.

"This is an important building, a community building and space and the last little bit of open space we have got left in the area.

"We should be able to decide as a community how best to use this space not wake up one morning and find a four-storey building outside our window."

The church has been earmarked for closure by the Diocese of Chichester as part of the same pastoral review which controversially wants to shut down St Peter's Church in York Place - often referred to as Brighton's cathedral.

Hyde Housing said it was not viable to convert the church and so it would have to be knocked down and redeveloped.

Initial plans drawn up with Hove YMCA and church representatives were shown to residents in December.

Adapted plans will be shown at the United Reform Church on Blatchington Road on April 28.

A spokeswoman from the housing association said: "We have examined the option of retaining the church and converting it into flats or business space however the building does not lend itself to this.

"At present the church building is not used and our proposal will bring it back to life with a vibrant new development that will continue to serve the needs of the community."

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