The former chairman of a town's conservation society has been criticised because he wants to demolish part of an historic wall so he can park his car.

The Arundel Society is objecting to one-time chairman John Godfrey's application to knock a hole in the Grade II listed wall to create a driveway.

The wall surrounds his cottage garden in the town's upmarket Maltravers Street.

Dr Godfrey, who is clerk to the Sussex Police Authority and a respected local historian, first applied to cut a hole in the wall in 2003 but was refused permission by Arun District Council.

Councillors said it would be a blot on Arundel's quaint conservation area and ruin the character of the listed cottage.

Dr Godfrey appealed against the decision but Government inspectors backed the council.

He has now courted controversy by lodging an amended application.

District council planning officers have recommended councillors refuse the latest bid when it is discussed tomorrow but Arundel Town Council has already backed the application.

The Arundel Society campaigns to preserve and enhance the town's architectural or historical heritage and maintains a photographic archive of listed buildings Member Peter Moss said: "It is a generous and imposing swoop of wall and turning it into an access point for a car would create a major traffic hazard.

"That's quite apart from the aesthetic value of the wall itself.

"It is the prime street in Arundel on a well-trodden tourist route and this would constitute a monstrous blot on the landscape.

"It is a walled cottage garden, not a driveway, and it should remain as such. It should be preserved for future generations."

Mr Moss was surprised to learn the town council backed the latest application.

He said: "They objected in 2003 and I do not see why they have changed their mind in two years and I will be asking for an investigation."

A town council spokesman said the application was considered in the same way as all others and no objections were made as long as regional materials were used and the highways authority did not object.

Mr Godfrey declined to comment.