Southern Water is to carry out a specialist marine survey as part of its plans for a £200 million sewage works.

The company will survey the seabed off Friars' Bay, Peacehaven, before submitting a planning application for the plant at Lower Hoddern Farm.

The company chose the site after reviewing 66 locations but the plan is bitterly opposed by residents.

The proposed plant, at the top of Piddinghoe Avenue, will process the 95 million litres of waste water generated every day by Brighton and Hove. It includes the construction of a new two-mile sea outfall.

Damon Elliott of Southern Water said: "These surveys will allow us to properly assess any impact a new long sea outfall may have and, if necessary, avoid the most environmentally sensitive areas."