Householders say their homes are at risk from plans for business units on a flood plain.

Residents of Orchard Road, Spences Lane and The Spinneys in Lewes are objecting to a planning application for seven units and 70 parking spaces on the Malling Brooks site that was heavily flooded in 2000.

They say the development would leave their homes and gardens liable to more flooding.

People living on the flood plain land had to leave their homes for months when the area was ravaged by flooding.

Some homes were submerged under up to four metres of water when the River Uck burst its banks.

Campaigner Maureen Messer said: "When we were flooded the water wasn't only coming from the river, it was up through the drains and all sorts and nothing has been done to protect us from that.

"We have looked at these plans and they are just not suitable.

Our homes should be protected, not put at more risk."

The neighbours have formed an action group called Residents Against Inappropriate Development (Raid) against Terracotta Property's plans.

Rita Ellis, of Orchard Road, said: "In the plans the developer wants to remove the water courses and narrow ditches from behind our homes.

"Those courses already overflow and flood so if they are removed there will be nowhere for the flood water to go.

"It is a time bomb. At the end of the day it is a flood plain and until we have proper defences nothing should be built there."

Residents said as well as flooding concerns they were worried about the noise, pollution and the effect on wildlife.

They also said plans to build a fire station on the site were rejected after opposition from residents who said it should not be built on a flood plain.

Terracotta Property managing director Charles Style said: "We naturally take into consideration the concerns of residents local to the proposed development at Malling Brooks.

"The proposed development's flood risk assessment has been checked by the Environment Agency and shows no increase to flooding risk for the area."

Raid will meet in Malling Community Centre, Spences Lane, on Monday at 7pm to offer guidance to residents who want to object to the scheme.

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