Dozens of children marched on a town hall to protest against council plans to build a waste plant near their school.

Pupils from Downs Infant School in Hollingdean, Brighton, delivered objections to Brighton and Hove City Council which, they say, has not consulted residents fully over the plans.

Protesters say they were unaware of the consultation process because it took place over the school Easter holiday, although the council says it will continue to accept objections.

The protests centre on a waste contractor's plans to build a materials recovery facility (MRF) and waste transfer station (WTS) near homes and the school in Hollingdean Lane, Brighton.

Waste contractor Onyx, now Veolia Environmental Services, submitted a revised planning application to the city council last month for permission to build the facility.

The building will be used to sort recyclable waste before it is transferred out of the city.

All non-recyclables will be burned at the incinerator the company wants to build in Newhaven, although there are objections to that planning application which has been lodged with East Sussex County Council.

The school and residents are objecting to the plans for Hollingdean.

Downs Infant School headteacher Regine Kruger said: "The effect will be on the children's health and that's my main concern."

She added that the proposed site for the waste plant is just 65ft from the school.

Rachel Atwell, chairwoman of the school governors, said: "I still haven't received a letter from the council formally, although I believe Wednesday, April 19, was the last date for formal objections."

The original plan for a waste transfer site in Hollingdean Lane was submitted in January 2005 and attracted a large number of objections. Veolia made 42 alterations to the plans and submitted a new application in February this year.

A campaign group, Dump the Dump, was formed to fight the original proposal and is now making fresh representations to the city council.

The group fears pollution and an increase in heavy goods traffic in the residential area.

The council says the application is unlikely to be considered until the summer.

A spokesman for Brighton and Hove City Council said: "The 21 days to comment is a statutory requirement.

"However, the council gives people up until the Friday before the meeting to register their views and as the meeting will not be until the summer, there's still plenty of time."