The development in Bexhill would be spread across two sites

The proposal for the former Metropole Hotel, near the De La Warr Pavilion in the East Sussex town, includes a 60-bed hotel, offices and 12 apartments.

But protesters have now applied to have some of the land declared a Town Green.

If the application is successful, it would prevent the putting green on the site from development.

For 50 years this green has been used by the public for recreational purposes and therefore they have established the right to preserve it in that way John Lee, chairman, Save Our Seafront

The group, Save Our Seafront (SOS), has collected more than 12,000 signatures for their petition against the �25m proposals, which have been submitted by Sea Space.

Since the derelict Metropole Hotel was demolished in 1955, the site has been used continuously as a public open space for putting and other recreational activities.

SOS has submitted a formal application to East Sussex County Council for the green to be registered as a Town Green under the provisions of the Commons Registration Act 1965.

As part of the application, it had to find a variety of witnesses to swear statements that over the past 20 years they had had free and unrestricted use of the land.

Two sites

Chairman John Lee said he was confident the group had a very good case.

"For 50 years this green has been used by the public for recreational purposes and therefore they have established the right to preserve it in that way."

Graham Gubby, leader of Rother District Council, said public interest in the proposals was welcomed.

"It will run its due course in law and depending upon what the result is, then the council will have to consider its position when we know what status this piece of land has," he said.

Under the proposals, the 60-bed hotel would be built on the putting green, while offices, apartments and shops would be based separately on part of the pavilion car park further east on the seafront.

Public consultation on the proposals ends next Monday.