Rival bingo site protesters meet

Residents against the plans came face to face with people in favour

Residents fighting plans to build two surgeries for GPs and 38 flats in Hove have come face to face with protesters in favour of the development.

The residents say putting the surgeries on the site of the derelict Gala Bingo Hall in Portland Road, close to two schools, will mean parking chaos.

"We are not against housing, but it is the worst place to put GPs' surgeries," said protester Derek Rist.

But businessman Julian Powers said the development would improve the area.

"This building is very, very ugly and is causing drug addicts to hang around in the area," said Mr Powers, who owns a business opposite.

"The whole area looks like an economically-depressed thoroughfare.

"If it is knocked down and developed it will look like a decent area."

'Children's safety'

Downland Housing Association, which is behind the plans, told the BBC it had conducted a survey which had identified 400 parking spaces in the area.

But Mr Rist said residents did not agree.

"This is about pollution and our children's safety," he said.

"We are not against the flats, but the surgeries will make all the problems we already have much worse."

Labour MP for Hove Celia Barlow, who was at Saturday's demonstration, said the site was an eyesore and everyone wanted it developed, but without the surgeries.

"It is a really congested area and relocating the doctors here would be too much for this site," she said.