Lewes District Council is seeking more information from Southern Water on its reasons for selecting land in Peacehaven for a major sewage treatment plant.

Southern Water announced Lower Hoddern Farm represented the 'best practicable environmental option' for the new development which will serve Brighton, Hove and the surrounding area.

Southern Water will submit a planning application in several months to East Sussex County Council, which is the planning authority responsible for waste applications.

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 wastewater in Brighton and Hove.

"This proposal will mean not only a 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 pipeline and pumping stations to make the new sewer system work."

Tuesday December 09, 2003