A former mayor of Littlehampton has complained the town is starting to look like a ghetto.

Mark Butler made the comment as outline plans to redevelop the town's former covered market in Surrey Street were approved by Arun's development control committee.

Councillors were told Sussex Police had suggested that the development of flats and shops should be gated at each end for security.

Mr Butler said: "With the East Bank development and this tagged alongside, it does give rise to fears of overdevelopment.

"And is it necessary to have gates everywhere? Littlehampton looks like a ghetto as it is."

Planning officials said they were against gating the development and instead wanted to see it covered by CCTV.

Conservation and design adviser Brian Bannister said: "It will bring vitality to the town. I wouldn't say it is an overdevelopment as there is a sufficient distance between the existing developments."

The developer's landscaping plans for the site must be approved by councillors.