Crowds view Felpham's revised homes scheme

The display featured changes made by developers Barratt Southampton and David Wilson Homes since the initial viewing six weeks ago as a result of comments from those who packed St Mary's Centre.

Architect Steve Dalton said: 'We listened a lot to what people said. One of the main things was that we needed to explain what was happening along the boundaries of the development.'

The extensive buffering of trees and bushes between the existing houses and the proposed estate was visible in the latest proposals.

Other alterations made use of slate roofs and red bricks on some of the planned properties to reflect the proximity of houses in Flansham.

Chimneys will also adorn some rooflines. 'Anything to give the area some character,' Mr Dalton explained.

A need for a sense of place and space had also led to the creation of a '˜green lung' with play areas.

Road features had been designed as well to place the emphasis on pedestrians rather than motorists.

The footpath diversions would also now take the routes past properties to make them constantly overlooked for safety rather than hidden away.

The road connection with Westmorland Drive would be designed to appear like a cul-de-sac to deter drivers. Only buses will be able to get through thanks to an electronic key in their cabs to unlock the barrier.

A total of 444 people visited Tuesday's exhibition after an estimated 600 turned out for the initial display. Issues raised then included the relief road and the size, height and density of the proposed homes.

The renewed level of interest pleased Barratt Southampton's spokesman Steve Houkes. He said: 'We are delighted that so many people have taken the trouble to come along and have a look at the plans. It's really important to us.'

He expected a detailed planning application for the housing, and the eastern section of the Bognor Regis relief road, to be submitted in the next two months for Arun District Council to decide. The scheme has broad backing from the government. Once the council gives agreement, work is expected to start on the 133 acres of countryside early next year.

Traffic worries were to the fore for some of the visitors. Hoe Lane resident Andrew Burns (57) said his main concern was the roundabout at the end of his road which would connect the existing A259 and the relief road.

He feared this would make it almost impossible to exit from Hoe Lane against the traffic flow on the main roads.

'I am also concerned about the vehicular and noise pollution from the relief road. It will be about a metre higher than the field behind our house two-thirds of the way down the road.

'A 2m high bund is being proposed for the relief road, except for the part by us, ' he stated.

Ken Moran (65), of The Byeway, Middleton, said: 'They should build the relief road before the houses. We are going to end up with more and more traffic in this area.

'We definitely need a roundabout at Comet Corner. We should have one there first. I have seen so many accidents and near misses there and it will only get busier. I know it's 50mph but a lot of people don't take any notice of the signs. I realise people have got to have somewhere to live but the improvements should come before the houses.'