THE result of the Portobello inquiry will not be known until the end of September at the very earliest.

And the decision as to whether Southern Water gets the go-ahead to develop its Portobello site at Telscombe Cliffs could even be delayed until the end of November.

The 43-day inquiry, one of the longest that has ever taken place in Sussex, ended yesterday with the barrister representing Southern Water posing the question: "If not at Portobello, where?".

Planning inspector Simon Gibbs told the Argus he expected to complete his report into the £60 million project by the end of August.

It will then go to the Department of Environment Transport and Regions for a final decision.

Because of the sensitivity of the project it is expected that the final decision will be made by the Environment Secretary, John Prescott.

If the report from Mr Gibbs, a senior inspector with the planning inspectorate, is cut and dried, Mr Prescott could make announcement within a month.

However, if the report throws up further complex issues, then Mr Prescott will have to consult further with his officials, which will delay the long-awaited announcement.

The inquiry started on October 26 last year and was the result of East Sussex County Council's decision to reject Southern Water's plans to build the massive works on the beach at Telscombe Cliffs on a platform jutting out to sea.

Southern Water, having looked at 44 different sites, said upgrading the existing Portobello works was the best option.

Under European law, backed by the British Government, Southern Water has to build an upgraded sewage treatment works to provide the quality of sea water off the Sussex Coast.

A total of 44 witnesses have given evidence since the inquiry started on October 26.

Among those giving evidence were the South Downs Conservation Board and Bass Taverns, which owns the Badgers Watch pub on the cliffs overlooking the planned works.

Also, scores of organisations have also made written submissions to the inquiry.

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