Harbour residents fighting plans for a B&Q store are dismayed the scheme is still progressing despite strong protests and sweeping nationwide cuts.

Up to 400 protesters are expected at a specially-convened council planning meeting next month to discuss the controversial bid to build at Sovereign Harbour, Eastbourne.

Opponents are incensed the DIY giant has again set its sights on building there three years after a similar application was rejected following public uproar.

It wants to build a 90,000sqft warehouse, garden centre and builders' yard at the harbour, the UK's largest marina complex.

Harbour homeowners say Eastbourne is already well-served by similar stores, including B&Q, Wickes, Focus and Homebase, and want this latest application turned down.

The plans come after B&Q revealed it was shutting 22 stores and converting 16 of its large warehouses into smaller units, threatening hundreds of jobs.

It also follows the company's announcement that 400 staff are to be laid off at its head office in Southampton.

Paul Rhodes, chairman of the 600-strong No To B&Q campaign, said: "We hear about all these store closures and job cuts.

"Yet they continue pursuing an application for a store seven times bigger than the one we already have (in Eastbourne).

"No one in Eastbourne wants it and we very much doubt anyone needs it."

Three years ago B&Q had a bid to build a bigger store on the same site rejected after householders issued a hands-off message to developers.

B&Q wanted to build a garden centre, builders' yard and 540-space car park on the prime site, making it seven times the size of the Hampden Park B&Q.

However, it was turned down when councillors heard a 1,500-name residents' petition raised concern about round-the-clock deliveries, traffic, noise and pollution.

Many householders feared their nearby homes, costing more than £150,000, would plummet in value because of disturbances the development would cause.

Now up to 250 jobs would be created through building the warehouse-style store on the North Harbour site, stocking 40,000 gardening and DIY products.

Rick Runnells, chairman of the Sovereign Harbour Residents Association (SHRA), which spearheaded opposition to B&Q's previous plan, said: "Nothing about this application makes sense."

The planning committee at Eastbourne Borough Council will make a final decision. It is to meet on October 13 at the Winter Garden Theatre instead of the town hall because of the keen public interest.

B&Q has said it took into account people's concerns after arranging exhibitions outlining the plans during the consultation process.

It has said it has involved the community and made amendments where it could to allay concerns among householders.

Wednesday, September 21, 2005