New entrance signage at a Southbourne church has been criticised as 'intrusive and incongruous' by Chichester Harbour Conservancy.
Retrospective permission for the signage, which is already in place, is being sought from Chichester District Council by the New Life Church, in Thorney Road.
And the conservancy is urging the council to refuse it.
It has told the council the s
cheme is not appropriate to the sensitive rural character of the area, or the harbour area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).
This was due to its size and the use of metal and brightly-coloured rendered walls, which resulted in intrusive, incongruous features in the rural AONB landscape.
"This, in combination with the tarmac pavement and entrance road, give the site an urban appearance inappropriate to its location within the countryside and AONB," a report added.
The conservancy is raising no objection to plans for a new church hall at the Church of St Peter and St Mary, in Fishbourne Road West, Fishbourne.
However, it is urging Chichester District Council to negotiate planning conditions covering issues including increased planting and wildlife enhancement and habitat management measures.
There is also no conservancy objection to proposals for a new side extension providing kitchen and toilet facilities at the Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church, in Fairfield Road, Bosham.
"The proposed extension would provide much-needed facilities for this community building, and its design reflects the existing building in a sympathetic, subordinate manner," it said. There would be no harm to the AONB.
A final decision on the application will be made by the district council.
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