Plans to cut down part of an ancient wood to make way for a factory and lorry depot have sparked outrage.

People living at Mountfield, near Battle, are already fighting to prevent a proposed waste incinerator on the site going ahead. But now they are facing a fresh threat to the area, designated an area of outstanding natural beauty, with plans to cut down trees at historic Battle Wood to make way for industrial use.

Newcombe Estates Ltd wants to develop the western part of the wood as a light industrial factory and Bodiam-based haulage firm CJ Burgess and Son wants to relocate to a site on the eastern side of the wood.

The plans by CJ Burgess include offices and provision for up to 35 lorries and 41 cars. Residents said the plans were totally unsuitable and would destroy stunning countryside.

An organisation called the Mountfield Heritage Group has already been set up to protest proposals for a waste incinerator on the site. Spokeswoman Sally Forshaw said: "These proposals to cut down trees are appalling and will receive very little support from people in this area.

"The area of Mountfield is home to a variety of wildlife and it's a wonderful and stunning area of countryside. This is a very beautiful place. We feel like we are being seen by the rest of the county as a dumping ground."

The factory and lorry depot schemes have also been slammed by East Sussex County Council planners, who are recommending councillors reject both plans when they meet on February 16.

A report to the planning and highways committee said: "Both proposals would irreversibly harm the intrinsic quality and character of the area of outstanding natural beauty. They also involve significant loss of and damage to ancient woodland."

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