OPPONENTS of massive new development in Worthing, West Sussex aim to send out a powerful message on Sunday afternoon (May 26).
At 2pm people will be gathering in the South Coast town for a mass protest walk against plans for a 800-plus house estate and road widening which would involve the felling of hundreds of trees in rare ancient woodland.
Although the new Liberal Democrat regime at Worthing's town hall has promised to back public opinion and oppose the development, campaigners are warning that the battle has only just begun.
Said a spokesman for POW! (Protect Our Woodland): "Most people rightly do not trust any politician further than they can thrown them. It is vital to keep up the pressure and really put the council on the spot over this issue.
"Sunday's protest will also be aimed at the landowners and developers who aim to make millions out of the rape of another small corner of rural Sussex.
"They must be made aware that they will not be able to trample over the views of local residents. People will put up a fight on this issue and fight the bulldozers every inch of the way."
Feelings are already running high against the development locally - it was named by Worthing Tories as one of the reasons they lost control of the borough council on May 2.
Not only did the Tories refuse to oppose the plans, but they even put out a leaflet telling residents not to take part in any protests.
And the temperature was raised further this week by a report in Worthing's independent newsletter that one of the would-be developers of the site at Titnore Lane was "a crook".
The article in The Porkbolter revealed that the Heron Group - one of the three firms involved in the proposed development - is headed by Gerald Ronson.
Ronson was jailed for a year in August 1990 for his part in the notorious Guinness insider share dealing scandal.
He was found guilty of one charge of conspiracy, two of false accounting and one of theft.
The newsletter also reveals that May 26 - the date of the protest - is coincidentally Ronson's birthday. It tells its readers: "Why not turn out just to wish Gerald many happy (financial) returns from the destruction of our countryside?"
Meeting point is 2pm at the Titnore Lane entrance to Northbrook College, Durrington, Worthing. Just north of A259 Littlehampton Road and Goring-by-Sea railway station. Bring banners, placards, whistles, picnic etc. Contact POW! at  pow@worthinga27.freeserve.co.uk and The Porkbolter at  porkbolter@eco-action.org