To dog walkers it is nothing more than a patch of grass overlooking the sea but to scientists it is a lush playground for some of the rarest plants in Britain.

Wildlife experts have angered residents by declaring the grassy tufts on the cliff tops at Peacehaven too precious to chop.

Homeowners living nearby fear the disputed patch will end up being used as a dogs' toilet.

Jacqueline Taylor, 60, of Neville Road, said: "Lots of people use this area, people walk their dogs on it, children play on it and the elderly use it to take in the sea air.

"Lewes District Council hasn't been to cut the grass since April and when I rang up they told me they were only going to cut it twice a year from now on.

"When I asked why, I was told English Nature had declared it an area of scientific importance.

"What are we going to do when the grass gets long? At the moment half the dog walkers don't pick up their dogs' mess.

"When the grass gets longer it will hide it and can you imagine the smell and the flies?

"This used to be a lovely road but now it's turning into a tip."

Neighbour and part-time nurse Trudy Brennan, 37, is a regular user of the grassland with her children Jenna, six, and James, three.

She said: "We only have a small garden and the children use the area to run around and do gymnastics.

"We went for a walk out there last night and I told them we're going to have to start wearing Wellington boots.

"It's not acceptable if the council isn't going to cut the grass."

A spokeswoman for English Heritage said the grassland was part of a protected stretch of chalk cliff from Black Rock in Brighton to Castle Hill in Newhaven.

Although the site's main interest was geological, some rare plants grew on the cliff top.

The area includes rare species of sea heath as well as rock sea-lavender and various flora and fauna.

The spokeswoman said: "The grassland along that stretch of coast is the most species-rich type of habitat, with up to 50 kinds of species in one square metre.

"Less than three per cent of the chalk grassland left on the Downs is unimproved species-rich grassland. Most of it has been developed or is farmland, which is why it must be protected."