Developers have bowed to pressure and agreed to build up sea defences for new flats at Eastbourne's Sovereign Harbour.

The Environment Agency objected to the flats scheme, saying the new homes would be at risk of flooding.

An agreement was made between the harbour's owners and the old Southern Water Authority to bolster the sea wall in 1998.

The site owner says some work has been done but the Environment Agency says homes are still at risk.

Plans were agreed last year to build more than 150 additional homes at Sovereign Harbour, and an application has just been made for 452 more flats and houses.

Councillors said they were satisfied the design of the buildings would prevent them from the worst of flooding but the Environment Agency has bitterly opposed each application.

It says the erosion of sea defences has reduced the protection given to the homes.

Sovereign Harbour has now offered to build up the sea wall using metal sheeting and to boost the shingle along the shoreline.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "This sounds like what we wanted to see done and we are pleased about the plans.

"But although we welcome the proposals, we look forward to working with them in the future to ensure the defences continue to be effective."

A spokeswoman for Sovereign Harbour said: "Sovereign Harbour has, without obligation, placed significant quantities of shingle on the beach in previous years, so it is incorrect to say deterioration of the groynes is due to a breach by Sovereign Harbour of its obligations.

"The sea defences are today of a standard that is considered to be appropriate for a development such as this and we will continue to work with the agency to maintain them."