Protesters packed into a public meeting last night as oppostion to the multi-million pound redevelopment of a prime seafront site mounted.

There was standing room only at St Laurence's Church hall, Sea Place, Goring, near Worthing, as more than 120 residents voiced their anger.

Developers Bellwinch Homes Ltd wants to construct 107 flats, ten houses and a health centre, all served by 200 car spaces, on land at the junction of Sea Place and Eirene Road, Goring.

Early plans showed a development in the shape of two ships' bows pointing out to sea, wrapped around an internal courtyard.

Dick Waller, who chaired the meeting, warned that some of the flats would be five storeys high. He said: "Goring is a place for low density housing. We have very few large blocks of flats so this is a worry."

Opponents warned that the area was still prone to flooding despite contractors installing a steel sea defence barrier along the promenade path earlier this year.

They were also concerned about the height of the development, the loss of public toilets and traffic congestion. Many were surprised there were no leisure facilities in the £20 million proposals.

One woman said she would sit in front of the bulldozers. She said: "I moved here from London for peace. I did not come here for this."

Thursday, May 11, 2006