Plans for a food waste transfer site have been scrapped amid fierce opposition from residents.

The site in Lewes Road, Newhaven, was initially approved in April – but Lewes District Council was forced to halt the plan after residents complained it would attract rats.

Now, after finding a new option for the transfer centre, the council has made a U-turn. The Lewes Road site will instead only have electric vehicle charging for new bin lorries.

Lewes District Councillor Wendy Maples said: "I know this news will be welcomed by the residents who were concerned.

"As promised, we listened and paused so we could reflect on the previous plans and consider all our options.

"We remain committed to increasing levels of recycling in the district, including composting food waste, so I'm delighted that we have been able to identify an alternative site to make this happen."

Under the new plans, the council will instead use a specialist waste management company in Lewes, meaning they will not take food waste into Newhaven.

It comes after residents complained that the initial plans, approved in April, would pollute their neighbourhood and attract vermin.

Their concerns prompted the “stop the slops” campaign which led to the initial pause in the plans.

Ward councillor Sean MacLeod previously slammed the plans saying the town was being "used as a dumping ground".

Newhaven Town Councillor Leslie Boniface described the U-turn as a “big win” for the town and he slammed the original plans for failing to put Newhaven first.

Lewes MP James MacCleary said: “I am pleased that the voices of local residents have been heard, ending in the cancellation of the food waste transfer site in Newhaven. It was a poorly thought through plan and the waste impact on local residents would not have been fair.

“Well done to the local residents’ who worked tirelessly to stop these messy proposals.”