Opposition to a controversial housing development is as strong as ever, insist campaigners.

People in Peacehaven are mounting a protest against plans to build 300 new homes in the east of the town.

About 400 residents turned up to the first protest meeting held last month and a similar number attended a meeting in the town's Meridian Centre on Friday night.

John Hodgson, chairman of the action group Peacehaven Opposed to Urban Development (Proud) was delighted with the community spirit on show.

He said: "It was great because usually with these things you get a lot of euphoria at first and everyone comes along.

"But then people feel they have done their bit and you never see them again."

"But the attendance was wonderful and almost exactly the same as our first meeting."

Residents discussed a number of options to fight the development, which many consider far too big for the area.

One of the neighbours offered his expertise as an architect with experience of working on large housing projects.

He will join representatives from Proud meeting with the director of planning services at Lewes District Council to discuss their opposition.

The extra homes have been proposed for a site close to the town's border with Newhaven, although they are not likely to go ahead for at least five years.

But Mr Hodgson said residents had to make sure the proposals were rejected as soon as possible.

He said: "This is simply not the place for 300 additional houses.

"First of all, the A259, the only entry and exit into the town, experiences gridlock virtually all the time.

"This development would mean about 600 extra cars and it would be impossible to cope.

"There are also some pressures on the local infrastructure.

"All the schools are full up at the moment and it is very difficult to get on a doctor's list, so the situation is bad even without this development."

As well as opposing the housing development, members of Proud plan to fight Southern Water's decision to build its controversial £200 million wastewater treatment works at Lower Hoddern Farm.

The group claims the town would become "Poohaven", damaging property prices and creating nasty smells.

Campaigners want other brownfield sites to be considered.

Proud is organising another meeting at the Meridian Centre on February 6, to take place before the council's planning committee discusses the housing development the following week.

Anyone wishing to find out more should contact Mr Hodgson on 01273 583751.

Monday January 12, 2004