Seafront hotel protest draws 300

Protesters turned up at the Metropole putting green waving flags, placards and balloons to demonstrate against plans for a hotel, office, retail and apartment complex on the site, next to the De La Warr Pavilion.

Regeneration body Sea Space is behind the idea and last week a team of architects was named to work the project through as the focus of a wider town centre masterplan.

The protest was organised by Jackie Bialeska, who has gathered a petition of some 3,600 names to oppose the scheme. She said: "I'm very pleasantly surprised by the turnout but it confirms to me the depth of strong feeling in the town against this ridiculous idea."

Opposition group Save Our Seafront had a strong presence at the demonstration.

Protesters say the hotel would come at the expense of the only green space left on the seafront and would overshadow the De La Warr, considered Bexhill's jewel in the crown. They also question the economic rationale.

Christopher Wallace, of London Road, said: "The politicians should be looking at this very closely. There are a lot of votes right here and if they don't listen to people they'll be kicked out."

John Lees addressed the protest rally, saying: "We would ask you to do whatever you can and whatever you feel appropriate to voice your opposition against losing this unique piece of open space. I ask you to stand for a minute's thought and imagine what it would look like if this development went ahead."

Another protester, Ann Dalton, added: "Frankly I don't have a lot of faith in Sea Space.

"Only at the weekend one of their building projects partially collapsed. They are also behind the plans to put a hotel in front of St Mary in the Castle, which was also attracted huge objection. They need to listen to the people."

The crowd signed petitions and dispersed after around half an hour.