An incinerator site was included in controversial council waste plans despite warnings it was in the wrong place, a public inquiry was told.

Barrister Tom Hill said council officers had consistently advised against earmarking Mountfield Mine, near Robertsbridge, for a burner.

Mr Hill, representing the Mountfield Heritage Group, said Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council voted to include the site in the waste plans without justification.

Opponents said Pebsham, Bexhill, was recommended by officers as more suitable.

Mr Hill said: "The proposal for Mountfield is flawed to a degree we have rarely seen.

"It fails to comply with a whole raft of policy considerations. It is not an option that can properly be pursued."

Planning expert Geoff Smith said the site was near a reservoir and in a valley, which was likely to trap pollution.

The two councils propose incinerator sites at North Quay, Newhaven, and Mountfield Mine. Contractor Onyx Aurora, which has signed a 25-year waste disposal deal with the authorities, proposes a single burner at North Quay, using Pebsham if that cannot cope.

Timothy Howard, for the councils, said Mountfield was an existing industrial site close to Hastings and Bexhill and pollution claims were speculative.

He said the county council wanted a country park at Pebsham.

Mountfield Heritage Group formed to oppose an incinerator at the site in High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty.