Seaside link road plans revised

The council said the link road would help create 2,000 jobs

Plans for a road linking Bexhill and Hastings in Sussex have been revised.

Plans were submitted in May 2007, but East Sussex County Council has added more information about conservation and flood risks.

Campaigners objected to the timing of the move saying it would be "virtually impossible" to comment on 139 documents during holidays and before 29 August.

But East Sussex County Council said it would accept and endeavour to take into account comments after the deadline.

A council statement said the "hugely complex" application had seen "substantial discussion" with statutory bodies, which led to further information being prepared and advertised "at the first available opportunity".

It said formal consultation was 21 days, but comments would be accepted until a planning meeting which was likely to be in October.

Regeneration claims

The Hastings Alliance - a coalition of environmental and transport campaign groups - said the scheme was "destructive and unnecessary".

Chairman Nick Bingham said campaigners opposed "massive environmental damage" and "highly questionable claims" about regeneration.

Councillor Matthew Lock said benefits would include 2,000 jobs, 48,000 sq m of business floor space, 1,600 homes and potential for 1,000 more homes.

He added the road would be a "tremendous boost" to business, housing, transport and jobs and said it had the backing of the "vast majority" of people in Bexhill and Hastings.