A proposed asphalt distribution plant at Shoreham Harbour could seriously affect the health of local residents, a councillor has warned.

Portslade councillor Steve Collier has called on county planners to throw out a bid to set up the plant at the Solent Aggregates site in Basin Road South.

West Sussex County Council said the new centre could reduce the number of heavy lorries on its roads.

But people living near the harbour fear it will result in more pollution from the increased number of lorries using local roads to get to the distribution centre.

Coun Collier said: "I am objecting to these plans on transport, environmental and health grounds.

"At a public inquiry in 1997, very clear evidence was provided about the extremely serious health and environmental impact on the quality of life of residents in neighbouring roads due to the large volumes of commercial traffic entering and leaving Shoreham Harbour.

"The primary roads affected are Kingsway, Hove, Wellington Road and Trafalgar Road, Portslade, and Southwick Street, Southwick.

"Both the inquiry inspector and Environment Minister John Prescott endorsed the concerns raised.

"More recently, Brighton and Hove Council's planning committee refused an application for an asphalt distribution centre at Britannia Wharf, Portslade.

"They said it would result in an unacceptable increase in traffic and would be a non-port use. On behalf of my constituents, I urge the county council to refuse this latest application."

West Sussex planners are backing the application by Hanson Aggregates, of Ardingly, near Haywards Heath.

It wants to set up a distribution centre at the harbour to save customers having to drive across the county to pick up small loads of two to three tonnes.

Hanson said the plant would significantly reduce vehicles on county roads. It added there would be no manufacture of materials on site and noise, dust and disturbance would be kept to a minimum.