Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott is being urged to intervene over plans to redevelop the former cement works at Upper Beeding.

The plea comes from Tex Pemberton, West Sussex County Council's Cabinet member for the environment, who wants the scheme to be called in for a decision or public inquiry.

Coun Pemberton said he decided to write to Mr Prescott after reading about proposals for the Shoreham Cement Works site which have been lodged with Horsham and Adur District Councils.

The plans include demolishing a factory and building 84 homes, 12,000sqm of business floorspace, 26,500sqm of storage or industrial space, a pub and 50-bedroom hotel. Parts of the site will be restored to grassland.

Coun Pemberton says he is not against the site being redeveloped but believes it must blend in with the Sussex Downs area of outstanding natural beauty.

In a report published today, he says current proposals would lead to an objection from County Hall on grounds of design and a layout of "inadequate quality" and a lack of significant visual improvement to the landscape.