But trust was the word on everybody's lips, when architects and "urbanists" John Thompson and Partners delivered the results of a two day public consultation on Tuesday.

Hired by Greencore, which owns nursery land north of Toddington earmarked for around 1,500 houses, John Thompson has been tasked with putting together a community-led plan for the whole area, encompassing community facilities, transport links and schools.

Mike Northeast, Arun and Littlehampton town councillor, said the vision presented, which included a new railway station at Wick, as well as the long-mooted Fitzalan Road extension, connecting the town centre to the A284, was all well and good, but promised nothing.

"No development should go ahead until the roads can take the traffic. This vision says nothing about deliverability, there are no guarantees."

This was a feeling echoed by many at the presentation, and at the two days of workshops held at the Wickbourne Centre on Friday and Saturday, which more than 120 people attended.

One, from Lyminster Road, said she had been waiting for the Fitzalan Road extension to ease congestion for 40 years.

"I don't see it happening," she added, "We need infrastructure before anything else, but who will pay for it? Certainly not developers."

Charles Campion, partner at John Thompson, said he recognised the need to build relationships in the community.

"This is just the first step, and what we have put together, based entirely on what we heard at the workshops, is a vision, not a solid plan."

He added that certain parts of it, such as a proposed bridge over the railway at Toddington Lane, would be a prerequisite to any development.

"We totally understand that people have been promised this before, and not received it. We hope to keep as many people as possible involved in the process, and to build up relationships in the community."

He added that a North Littlehampton Community Forum would be set up, with its first meeting on September 17, at 6pm, at All Saints' Church, Wick Street.

"Everyone is welcome, this is about keeping people involved. The forum will be able to produce design statements, meaning that any future planning application have to sit within than framework. The forum will be involved in the project all the way through."

Copies of the vision will soon be available to pick up from various organisations in the town.

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