They said the town would gain only a ten-pin bowling alley in the latest proposals, in exchange for 300-plus flats on two key sites.

This amount of residential accommodation was too high a price to pay for so limited benefit, they said.

Cllr Simon McDougall (Pevensey) said: "I'm 41 and I've lived in this town all my life. I have waited a long time for a scheme to improve Bognor, but this is not that scheme to regenerate the town. We live in this town and we care about this town.

"We only have one shot at this and we have to make sure we get it right.

"Once built, this scheme is going to be there for the next 40 to 60 years. If they don't like it over there (Littlehampton), it's tough."

The town council's overall objections to the view were backed by 11 of the 12 Liberal Democrat, Independent and Conservative councillors present. Cllr Simon Fyfe was the dissenting voice, though he did support certain aspects of the council's objections.

The protest was the result of a near two-hour special meeting held by the town council on Monday, with about 20 residents present, to discuss the latest proposals put forward by St Modwen.

The company has been chosen by Arun District Council to redevelop its Regis Centre and the Hothamton sites.

Its latest thoughts were put on display late last month.

They consisted of 168 flats on the Regis Centre site with a combined
theatre/cinema complex and a ten-pin bowling alley and some bars and restaurants.

A relocated library was also proposed there. A closure of The Esplanade was suggested as well.

For Hothamton, the main feature was a 30-storey block of 180 flats with 25,000sq ft of offices for the county council, a new store and a possible new health centre.

Car parking would be provided at both locations.