An environmental group has backed one of the sites earmarked for a multi-million pound sewage treatment plant.
The group, part of the Environment Agency, chose the old Black Rock swimming pool in Brighton.
Labour councillor Bob Carden, of Brighton and Hove City Council, said: "It was a majority decision and is only a recommendation.
"It would have to have an extremely long outfall and would need extensive flood protection."
The city council has already earmarked the Black Rock site for a leisure development and three bids are being considered.
A recommendation was made at the meeting in Worthing after Southern Water outlined the seven other sites in the Brighton and Hove area.
Council leader Ken Bodfish said: "Putting it at Black Rock would be doubly daft. It would waste a prime leisure site.
"Secondly it would put a waste treatment plant far too near where people live."
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