CHILDREN who fear pollution from a planned gasworks development near their home took part in a litter-pick to raise money for a campaign against it.
Michael Pegley, who lives very close to the East Brighton gasworks site, said his two sons Vinnie and Louie and their friends wanted to do something to help fundraise for the Action on Gasworks Housing Affordability Safety and Transparency (Aghast).
READ MORE: Heritage groups unite against Brighton Gasworks development
The campaign group is raising money to pay for an independent consultant who can assess the site and challenge plans made by a developer who wants to build up to 700 homes there.
Property developer St William, part of the Berkeley Group, plans to build nine tower blocks across two hectares of land on the brownfield site between Marina Way, Roedean Road and Boundary Road.
But residents and campaign groups fear contamination toxins from the development could present an "environmental and human health risk" across a large residential area, which includes ten schools and colleges and the Royal Sussex County Hospital.
SEE ALSO: Council 'changed policy' to aid gasworks development, campaigners say
Michael said: "We live metres from the site, and from the kids' point of view, they're worried about the harm it could do.
"At school they’ve been taught damaging the environment is not very clever and breathing in pollution not very healthy, so that's what comes to their mind when we talk about it."
On Saturday, Michael, his partner Cathy and their children, Vinnie, 12, and Louie, 10, collected several bags of rubbish from East Brighton Park with friends from the area.
They launched an online crowdfunding page and raised almost £600 for the Aghast campaign, which has now almost reached its £5,000 target.
Michael said: "We go to the park a lot and the kids spend loads of time there, but we could not believe how much we found.
READ MORE: Campaigners' fears over Brighton gasworks development
"The park looks OK on the surface but once you get into the bushes the amount of rubbish is unbelievable.
"This campaign has really brought people out together. We are just trying to make sure the area is safe and connected.
"If the development goes ahead it could set a precedent for the city. We can't do nothing, and we won't stop trying."
A second public consultation on the plans closed earlier this month, and a planning application is yet to be submitted to the council.
St William previously told The Argus the new development would provide new homes, jobs and publicly accessible open space for local residents.
A spokesman said all works would be "highly regulated and closely monitored and approved by the authorities, including Brighton and Hove City Council and the Environment Agency".
To donate to the children's crowdfunding for Aghast, visit their page here.
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