Residents have reacted angrily to plans to build additional storeys on top of a block of flats and branded the designs an “eyesore”.

Chalice Properties wants to put nine more apartments on top of The Haven in Brighton Road, Lancing, which is currently three storeys.

The scheme would also see the “enhancement” of the existing building including external insulation, re-rendering, additional car parking spaces and painting and the improvement of fire safety.

One floor of the upward extension would be white to match the current building and the uppermost would be stepped back and clad in zinc.

Many residents have objected to the plans.

Anthony Jones, who lives in The Haven, slammed the design.

“The proposed design by Chalice Properties, though claiming synergy, fails spectacularly to harmonise with the unique character of The Haven's quasi-art deco and softened brutalism,” he said.

“This misguided attempt at modernisation is, bluntly put, an eyesore, betraying the charm of our seafront with this malformed augmentation.”

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Another resident, Colin Lucking, raised concerns about loss of light, “significant loss of trees”, the noise of the lift “disturbing” residents and said the area would become “overdeveloped”.

The Argus:

Julia Hayter, another resident in The Haven, said: “The height of the proposed building will punctuate the skyline when seen from north of the area which I feel will set a worrying precedent.

“The poor quality of air due to the increasing congestion of the A259 will only be exacerbated by this development.”

The developers said the scheme will not affect people’s light and will add to the building’s future potential.

“There is very little potential to create any unacceptable reductions in daylight, sunlight, overlooking or overbearing of neighbours from extending up the existing footprint with additional storeys,” documents said.

“This has been confirmed by the daylight/overshadowing study carried out by specialists Herrington Consulting which demonstrates no adverse impacts on neighbours or residents of the existing building.

“The open space either side of the building means there is potential for extending upwards without adversely affecting nearby neighbours creating new residential units contributing to local housing need.

“Dwelling density on the site is relatively low, meaning that more effective use could be made of the site.”