Keith Richards has thrown his support behind an effort to prevent the construction of a café on the beach front near his country home on West Sussex, England.

The £1.5 million project has been planned to replace a smaller beach café that recently burned down in an electrical fire.

The new building would sit directly on the beach a short distance from the rocker's mansion in the town of Wittering.

Richards has lived in the mansion since the 1960s and the moated property became famous as the site at which police raided the Rolling Stones and arrested them for marijuana possession.

Richards released an official statement opposing the project, saying, "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."