Veteran rocker Keith Richards is campaigning against the construction of a $2.4 million (£1.5 million) beach-front cafe near his home in West Sussex, England.

The Rolling Stones star has written to local authorities to object to plans to build the eaterie on West Wittering beach because he believes the cafe will ruin the local beauty spot.

He writes, "The second-storey restaurant overlooks and is visible from the sea and beach. It spoils the natural beauty and seclusion of the beach. It dominates the area and degrades its character. The restaurant threatens the environment and locals. It cannot be allowed."

The musician is among a number of local residents who are objecting to the development, which is designed to replace a smaller cafe on the site that burned down in October (14).