The tourism industry in a Sussex seaside town could collapse if plans to flood a popular footpath go ahead.

Seaford Town Council issued the threat in response to the Environment Agency's proposals not to replace worn out sea defences at Cuckmere Haven estuary.

The move, which is to be discussed by representatives on the South Downs Joint Committee on Friday, would turn the estuary into a flood plain, potentially reducing public access when water levels are high.

Seaford Town Council leader Jon Freeman warned this could have devastating effects on the area's economy.

He said: "We feel that the Golden Galleon pub takes about £1.5 million per year from tourists to the area.

"We think that's replicated five times in terms of visitors to Seaford.

"We're worried that the town will lose that business if the estuary is flooded.

"The argument is it may not be as bad as that but there's no economical study which tells us one way or another.

"We feel somehow we've got to cost this economically."

The cost of replacing flood defences at the estuary are estimated to be about £18 million.

The Environment Agency is consulting on three options but favours flooding the area naturally, creating a "wildlife friendly valley of salt marshes". The Agency's Sussex area manager Peter Midgley said: "The existing defences are wearing out and sooner or later the sea will come in.

"Rather than propping up these defences and turning the canal banks into a building site, our proposals show how we can work with nature to protect the whole valley from flooding and improve the environment.

"We have looked at all the options and think this managed approach will be the best way to keep this as one of the South's most treasured beauty spots."

Coun Freeman said this was not the only option and suggested the Agency, which is spending £500,000 on survey work and strategy development for the scheme, did natural maintenance by digging out silt at the estuary and moving it to the flood banks.

He said: "At least then that would make channels through it and protect Alfriston and further protect the banks. I wish they would do that rather than spending all the money on consultation."

Seaford Town councillor Rosemary Collict also said the move could be damaging for visitors.

She said: "It's exceptionally well used by the public so it would reduce enormously the visitation and that's to be deplored."

Flood risk manager for Sussex for the Environment Agency Andrew Gilham said: "As part of the Cuckmere Estuary Partnership, some work was done looking at the impact on tourism at similar sites. The study found that in some places tourism increased and in others it decreased.

"We believe that restoring this area to a dynamic estuary system would mean that it continued to be a wonderful place to visit and will provide a year round attraction for tourism."

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