Councillors in all-round condemnation

Cllr Ricky Bower (East Preston), Arun's senior member for planning, said: 'Eco-towns have never been subject to any debate. They undermine the planning system.'

Cllr Dr James Walsh (Littlehampton Beach) said it was obvious any eco-town would never create enough profit for the developer to fund all the necessary improvements to the road and rail systems, health care services and schools which its residents would use.

'My worry is that whatever we say or do there's still a very clear possibility that Ms Blears will approve the eco-town. It's 50:50 at the current time,' he stated.

Cllr Tony Squires (Littlehampton Ham) said the government's intention was to enable one large town beneath the Downs to be created from Pagham to Seaford.