We don't want sewage works

The computer generated pictures were unveiled by Southern Water at a press conference held in the sewers below Brighton, on Tuesday.

The water company has ruled out a scheme for a 60 million Portobello sewage works expansion, after its rejection at public inquiry, in favour of a short list of eight new sites. They are:

Brookside Farm tip, off Lewes Road, Newhaven. Seven-and-a-half miles of pipeline would be laid to transfer Brighton's sewage to the site, with a further pumping station at Portobello needed to transfer flows from Woodingdean, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Telscombe Cliffs and Peacehaven.

North Quay, Newhaven. Eight miles of pipeline would transfer waste water and a pumping station would be built at Portobello.

Peacehaven East. Farm land at the top of Piddinghoe Avenue, near the football pitch. The plant would be built in the valley and the area around it landscaped with trees. Nearly seven miles of pipeline would be laid to carry Brighton's sewage to the site.

Shoreham Harbour.

Black Rock, Brighton.

Lower Sheepcote Valley and Upper Sheepcote Valley, Brighton.

Ovingdean, near to Roedean School.

A planning application for the final chosen site could be made as early as spring.

The Mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Dennis Forsdike, was angry at the proposal and said everything seemed to be dumped on Newhaven's doorstep.

'People in the town don't want it. We are already being asked to take Brighton's rubbish for an incinerator - it seems so biased towards this one particular area.'

He added: 'They seem to think Newhaven is a prime site, but we just don't have the infrastructure.'

CRAP (Concerned Residents Against Portobello), which fought successfully against Southern Water's original bid, has pledged to fight on, despite Southern Water seeming to back down over Portobello.

Southern Water media manger Geoff Loader conceded that nobody wanted a sewage works in their back garden, but hoped a sensible debate could be held to establish the best site.

He confirmed Portobello was now out of the picture as Southern Water had been sent a clear message that it was a 'non-starter'.

It was revealed the new schemes could cost up to 140 million, more than twice the cost of the Portobello expansion.

Some 95 million litres of waste water are generated along the Brighton and Hove to Peacehaven coastal strip every day.

Damon Elliott, Southern Water project manager, said: 'At the moment this waste water is screened before being released nearly two miles out to sea.'

This and a three-mile storm water tunnel under Brighton seafront helped beaches meet bathing water standards, but more stringent sea water quality levels had been introduced and a new treatment plant was vital.

Public exhibitions on the sites will be held at Hoddern School, Peacehaven, January 16, 5.30pm-9pm, and the Hillcrest Centre, Newhaven, January 17, 10am-4.30pm.

People can also view the information at Southern Water's website:

We don't want sewage works - Mayor