Fury as greenfield homes approved

Chris Niall and protesters have vowed to protect the site

Protesters against plans to build up to 875 homes on a Worthing greenfield site are vowing to fight on after borough councillors approved the scheme.

Several objectors were ejected from the meeting at Worthing Town Hall which approved the Durrington development.

"It is being built on ancient woodland - it's absolutely disgraceful," said Chris Niall of Protect Our Woodland.

Worthing council said the 220 social and low-cost homes included in the plan were desperately needed.

'Plant more trees'

The developers will also pay £7m towards a community centre, library, swimming pool, medical centre and other facilities.

"We agree it is a greenfield site and it is unfortunate that part of the woodland will be affected," said Councillor John Livermore.

"However, we are going to plant more trees than we are going to take down so the argument of the save the trees people is very much deflated."

The council's decision must now go to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for approval but the protesters say their fight has only just begun.

"The site has oak trees dating back more than 150 years," said Mr Niall.

"There's a medieval deer park and many protected species living on the site, including great crested newts, badgers and doormice."

He said their battle had the support of environmental campaigners across the country, who were looking at setting up a protest camp on the site.