Locals are outraged as the car dealership is demolished to make way for 176 new homes

Locals in a small town were outraged after a popular car dealership was demolished to make way for 176 new homes.

Frosts Cars in Shoreham, Sussex, is being converted into a new housing development, which has sparked significant backlash.

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Four blocks will be built on the site, offering both waterfront apartments and a 600 square meter commercial space.

And 50 of the new units will be reserved for affordable housing.

The council approved the project in March after previously rejecting a redevelopment plan.

The developer has since agreed to reduce the height of the towers and make other changes to the plan.

The design includes public green spaces, a tree-lined central avenue and a large roof garden for eventual residents to enjoy.

However, many residents are still not convinced by the plans.

During the planning phase, the council received 28 letters of objection, compared to just one letter of support.

Concerns were also raised in a statement from the Shoreham Beach Residents Association.

These focused mainly on parking, with only 79 spaces built for the apartments, which the association described as “inadequate”.

There were also questions about who would use the business park.

And Greens councilor Julian Shinn said the proposed development was “too dense” and that the changes had achieved nothing more than “cut elements off the top”.

Nevertheless, the planning committee approved the proposals as a “significant improvement” on previous offers.

Cllr. Steve Neocleous, council cabinet member for regeneration and strategic planning, said: “The plans for the development of the Frosts site have been changed and I am pleased that there has been a reduction in height and a reduction in building density for this site.”

“We want to support economic growth across the borough and the regeneration of Shoreham Harbor is part of that plan as we continue our efforts to modernize the area and make it an attractive location for investment.”

“But our commitment is all about the environment and that’s why we want to use brownfield sites instead of greenfield sites to solve the housing shortage.”

Conservative councilor Andy McGregor added: “But our commitment is very much focused on the environment and that’s why we want to use brownfield sites, rather than having to look for new properties, to help solve the housing shortage.”

As for Frosts Cars, the company has moved to a new location three miles away on the other side of the River Adur.

This comes after it emerged that greedy supermarkets are still charging motorists incorrect fuel prices despite falling wholesale oil prices.

Meanwhile, a cyclist who sped at 150mph and did “wheeies” was caught thanks to his own footage of his crimes.