Controversial plans for a landmark block of flats in Rottingdean have been rejected by councillors.

There were more than 300 individual letters objecting to the scheme for Marine Drive proposed by Hallmark Developments.

The Whitecliffs Action Group submitted a petition to Brighton and Hove City Council signed by 3,171 people.

Although many councillors liked the design by Alan Phillips Associates, they felt it was in the wrong place. Voting was 11-nil against the scheme at a meeting of the planning committee last night following a site visit by councillors.

Town planner Philip Woodhams represented the group, the parish council and the village preservation society.

He said there would be severe and dangerous access problems to the site. The village already had a landmark in the Beacon Hill windmill.

It did not need another one.

Mr Phillips said the building had been carefully designed in nautical style to fit in with the area.

He said: "It is a good building for a significant site."

Ward councillor Mary Mears said: "Rottingdean is a village of charm and character. This proposal is totally out of keeping with it."

Fellow local councillor Lynda Hyde said: "This proposal would have an over-bearing impact on the surrounding area."

Tory councillor Carol Theobald said: "It is a good design but it is in the wrong place."

Liberal Democrat councillor David Watkins said it was one of the best designs he had seen but he could not support it in that location.

Labour councillor Roy Pennington said if the height was lowered it might be all right.