Developer Crest Nicholson plans to build more than 200 new homes on the Steyning Workhouse site, named St Giles Place, and held a consultation exercise.

People living in neighbouring St Giles Close said their concerns were not about such a large-scale development being built nearby.

Sally Walker, of Sompting Court, told the Herald: "I think I speak for the majority of people around here, and all of us agreed it would look very nice."

High rise

Mrs Walker, 52, added what concerned her was the height of some of the proposed flats, with four storeys and pitched roofs, as opposed to the three-storey, flat-roofed flats in St Giles Close.

She also raised fears over the cycle path and walkway, which would connect the new St Giles Place development with St Giles Close.

"Many of us have no qualms about the buildings going up, but when it comes to affecting us, when a close is meant to be a close, it's something else," said Mrs Walker.

The warehouse manager also said she was fearful for the close's future, with more homes in the area meaning more cars being parked.

Parking fear

"They are not building garages or driveways," she said.

"Most people have got a car or two per family.

"Their guests will be parking in St Giles Close – we haven't got enough parking spaces in the close now.

"It is terrible. It is going to kill St Giles Close."

Pathway worry

Patricia Tough lives in Bramber Court, and said she was
worried opening up St Giles Close with the path could lead to
problems for residents.

"It is a security issue," she added.

"We are going to have all the youths congregating. It is just another escape for them."

A spokeswoman for Crest Nicholson, and national regeneration agency English Partnerships, said the two parties were delighted by the response to the consultation.

For more information on the St Giles Place proposals, log on to the website www.st-gilesplace.co.uk

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