Hundreds of new homes will be built in the countryside after a controversial blueprint for the future was unveiled.

Following a 53-day public inquiry, government inspector Alan Foster ruled that 1,670 houses must be constructed in the Arun area around Littlehampton and Bognor in the next nine years.

In total, 8,600 properties will be built, most on brownfield sites, but many have been earmarked for greenfield sites in the countryside.

Mr Foster warned Arun District Council not to build 380 houses at Toddington, Littlehampton, on land next to Watersmead Business Park, headquarters of the Body Shop, amid fears that noise from nearby factories would disturb residents.

However, he said the idea of building a railway station in the Toddington area to ease road congestion should be investigated.

Mr Foster gave the green light to plans for major new house-building north of Bersted, Bognor and Felpham, despite hundreds of objections.

He said: "It is the most controversial proposal in the Local Plan, attracting over 300 objections, nearly 18 per cent of the total number of objections I had to consider."

He said the district council had put forward the proposals with great reluctance but added: "There is a need for greenfield sites to be allocated for new housing.

"This will inevitably result in the loss of countryside."

The council, fearing a public backlash, released a statement which said: "We recognise not all communities, landowners and individuals will necessarily be pleased but we would hope all would recognise the Local Plan Inquiry provided an opportunity for all parties to have their say."

Norman Dingemans, leader of the council, said: "This has been an extremely difficult and tortuous process.

"Its never easy for any community to accept the imposition of major changes."

He said the council was committed to acting on the inspectors recommendations, including those it did not agree with, and hoped the community would respond in a similar fashion.

Defending the use of greenfield sites for housing, Ian Sumnall, Aruns chief executive, said: "There are about 1,000 households on our council waiting list, which has been growing by about 200 a year for the last few years."

Councillor Gillian Brown, deputy council leader, said:

"We can never please everybody. Its a landmark document and everybody has had a chance to put forward their point of view."

The inspectors 300-page report covered a wide range of topics, from flooding and coastal defence to strategic gaps, shopping facilities and public transport.