A twisted tower block designed for the Shoebury Garrison was described as an "unsightly lump" and a "hideous monstrosity" at a meeting to discuss the development's progress.

The modern design for the Green Mark apartment block attracted mixed opinions, but the most vocal came from its opponents.

As soon as Ross Brodie, land and planning director for the developer Gladedale Group, mentioned the landmark building, there were shouts of disgust from the 200-strong crowd.

Mr Brodie admitted the design, chosen from about 20 entries to an architectural competition, provoked a "mixed reaction", but promised there would be a chance for people to comment when plans were submitted.

He said the principle of a landmark building had been approved, but the council still had to give permission for a final design, even though two council representatives had been on the judging panel that chose it.

The 19-storey, 180ft-tall tower was designed by London architects Jestico+Whiles, who said its height was in proportion with other buildings in Southend and the width of the Estuary. But some residents complained the initial discussions about the development of the Garrison site had suggested a shorter building of only nine to 12 storeys.

They were angry to hear the design competition had left the height open and this was the option which the panel liked best.

David Shindler, chairman of Shoebury East Beach Area Action Committee, said: "If that goes ahead, Shoebury should be twinned with Beirut because that's what it will look like."

Mr Brodie was also accused of trying to squeeze as many new homes onto the site as possible by creating a tower block.

He replied that permission had been granted for 465 homes on the Garrison site and any additional homes would need council permission.

After the meeting, one Garrison resident asked Mr Brodie: "Why can't it be something like the Angel of the North? Why does it have to be residential? Sales are slow. You're having to reduce the prices. The last thing we need is a white elephant."

Mr Brodie said the tower was designed to mark the mouth of the Estuary and to be visible from a distance.

He conceded: "Some people will like the contemporary design; some people will hate it."

The councillor in charge of Southend's schools says she is still committed to having a new primary school on the Garrison site.

Despite three unsuccessful bids for £5million of Government cash for building work, Sally Carr told the Echo she still hoped to build a new school to replace Hinguar Primary School.

At the public meeting to discuss the Garrison development's progress, residents said they doubted a new school would ever be built.

That would mean Gladedale Homes could instead develop the land, at the corner of Westgate and Barge Pier Road, and would give the council cash towards education in the borough.

Speaking after the meeting, Paul Halley, of Fremantle, Shoebury, said: "That school won't happen.

"People think the developer has to build the school, but they don't.

"The council has to get money from the Government to build it.

"If they don't take up the option, the developer will get the land back to build on.

"The developer will have to give the council millions, but that could be spent on education in Southend, not just Shoebury."

Mrs Carr admitted the council may not be able to afford to build a new school without Government help, but pledged any money from Gladedale would stay in Shoebury.

"The school that has got to have money spent on it is Hinguar," she said.

Developers have promised the new Gunners Park will have more public land than the site it is replacing.

Ross Brodie, Gladedale's land and planning director, said the old park was 82.4acres while the new, reshaped area totalled 86.9acres.

The park will include a play area for younger children, a skateboard park and courts suitable for different sports.

There is also a pond, created in 2005, and ditches have been cleared to improve drainage.

During improvements, the developer - with the help of English Nature - moved more than 1,000 reptiles to make sure they were not disturbed by the building work.

Care was also taken not to disturb badgers' setts or nesting birds.

The path and cycle route is being improved so there are better links to East Beach, Shoebury and Southend seafront. Southend Council previously held the leasehold to the park, but now owns the freehold. Public access will be restored once work has been completed