Fatboy Slim has backed residents campaigning against plans for a six-storey block of seafront flats.

The DJ, aka Norman Cook, who lives near the former Caffyns showroom site, said that just because they live in Portslade "it doesn't mean we don't care about architecture".

He made his comments as an inspector considers the Berkeley Homes scheme for 70 flats and five townhouses, which was thrown out by Brighton and Hove City Council in February.

Mr Cook was among residents who protested when original plans for a 12-storey tower were submitted to the city council in April 2005.

The new application was also rejected despite six storeys being slashed and the amount of affordable housing increased.

Residents feared they would be forced to live in the shadow of the building and councillors said it would not fit in with the area. The public inquiry, scheduled to finish today, will hear evidence from developers and residents. A decision is expected in two months.

Mr Cook said: "The Caffyns building was a beautiful Thirties Art Deco building. In Hove they are talking about the King Alfred ruining the Victorian splendour but I don't like the idea of building modern office blocks here. It will cut off people's view of the sea."

Plans include 30 affordable homes, offices and car and cycle parking.

Ward councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn is expected to speak at the inquiry today.

He said: "This is an overdevelopment of the site, totally out of scale with the area."

Some residents support the plans. Rob Corbett, 38, of Brittany Road, Hove, said: "The recent plans sound fair. I think it would boost businesses, which is what the area needs."

Berkeley Homes was unavailable for comment.