Any fight to prevent a sewage works being built in Peacehaven could get the backing of Lewes District Council.

The Lewes-based council, which covers Peacehaven, is demanding clear justification from Southern Water of its decision to select land at Lower Hoddern Farm, Peacehaven, for a major waste water treatment plant to serve Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area.

The company announ-ced on Thursday it had chosen the farm as the best overall option.

It will make a planning application to East Sussex County Council in several months' time.

Ann De Vecchi, the leader of Lewes District Council, said: "We are surprised and very concerned that the Peacehaven site has been selected by Southern Water as it is a greenfield site, which is a long way from the main source of the waste water in Brighton and Hove.

"This proposal will mean not only a major new development in the countryside to the north of the town but also a lengthy new access road to serve it. It will also need miles of new pipeline and pumping stations to make the new sewer system work."

She said her council had several other concerns, including the impact on the proposed national park and an area of outstanding natural beauty, the proximity of the site to proposed new housing and disruption to the A259.

The district council said it would press the company for information which led it to choose the site over alternatives in the city.