AN EYESORE toilet block will be transformed into the “best seafront café in the UK” say the developers after being given the green light.

Almost 300 residents objected to the proposals for Shoreham’s Beach Green, but Adur District Council’s planning committee approved the plan on Monday evening.

Angry residents shouted “rubbish and “absolutely shameful” at the decision and the committee’s chairwoman Carol Albury twice had to call for quiet.

Brighton-based developer Boxpark already has casual dining and retail developments in Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley. The Shoreham Boxpark will be the first outside London.

The building will be transformed into a split level cafe-restaurant with a paved outdoor seating area and roof terrace with coastal and countryside views. The public toilets will be kept and changing rooms, a centre for water sports and community space made available.

Councillor Brian Boggis, executive member for regeneration, said: “There is no doubt that Beach Green is a special place and, providing this new exciting venue is managed correctly, the Shoreham Beachbox can bring immense benefits to our area.

“Bringing a company with their worldwide reputation for creating exciting places for people to eat and drink is a real vote of confidence in Adur.

"It shows that people want to invest in our communities to create more vibrant places for people to live, work and relax with their friends and family.”

When complete, it is expected that about 25 jobs will be created while developers have made a commitment to use local contractors

Founder of Boxpark Roger Wade said: “Our intention from the start has always been to create the best seafront cafe-restaurant in the UK.

“With planning approval granted we have now taken a large step forward to achieving that ambition. We now commit to working with the community to make sure we deliver on our promise.

“I’m confident that our plans will transform this site, turning a run-down block which is a hub for antisocial behaviour into a vibrant destination cafe-restaurant which will put Shoreham Beach on the map.”

Cllr Albury said: “While we understand some of the concerns raised by residents around this proposal, it was agreed the creation of this landmark building would deliver huge benefits while regenerating a dilapidated toilet which has seen better days.”

She said West Sussex County Council will need to resurface the shared pedestrian and cycle route to the south of the development.