Backing for major new development

Members of Rother's planning committee followed officer's recommendations and granted delegated planning permission for 24 flats, two restaurants and basement parking.

The plans - outlined on the front page - met with a positive response from many of the councillors and comments were made that the private investment could 'kick-start' town regeneration.

In a separate plan architects ABK have already developed a town 'masterplan' for redevelopment with public money.

Mr Khan's complex would be no more than a few meters away from the much-debated seafront hotel proposed by Sea Space and designed by ABK.

Cllr Deirdre Williams, said: "I think this is a major step forward in the regeneration of Bexhill.

"That corner has been an eye-sore for so long and we have to do something somewhere with a large important building and I believe this is it. It will be a real added bonus with the Pavilion coming back next year."

Cllr Ron Dyason agreed the development is crucial to the future prosperity of the town.

He said: "We have talked about regeneration for a long time but we can't say 'not just yet' and get behind.

"If we want to see this town regenerated there are times we have to jump into the water and say 'I'm prepared to do something'. Here we have the opportunity where someone in the private sector is prepared to invest in this town.

"We have had expert advice from English Heritage (on the design) and we have come to the point where we have to make a decision and I would support this because I want to see Bexhill get the facilities it needs for the next generation. If it becomes a back-water it would be disastrous."

Cllr Sue Prochak, who does not sit on the committee, was less enthused, accusing the Conservative group of 'rushing' the plans.

She said: "Why on earth wasn't this site included in ABK's masterplan? All the sites need to be looked at as one and this site and the Skoda building opposite are marvellous sites for Bexhill."

Committee member Cllr John Kemp also felt the scheme may be of limited value.

He said: "I hope that those who spoke in favour of this on the basis of regeneration are right. I don't see how it will regenerate the town because it will not provide much employment."

The suggestion was countered by a clearly riled Cllr Carl Maynard.

"At the very least you will have about 48 people living in the block of flats contributing to Bexhill and spending money in the immediate area."

He added: "I really am rather disappointed with some of the comments today. It's not about Bexhill Conservatives pushing something through, it's about regeneration - to get rid of something and replace it with something is regeneration - it should be applauded and supported.

"We are not just pushing it through, we want to get something going."

Chief planning officer Frank Rallings, reminded members although regeneration was topical, the site had been primed for development for some time and could be thought of as a separate entity rather than, "the be all and end all of regeneration."