Hundreds of people packed a public meeting to protest at plans for 300 homes and a sewage works on their doorsteps.

Campaigners are dismayed that Southern Water has chosen a site north of Peacehaven Football Club for the sewage works.

Lower Hoddern Farm was chosen out of eight shortlisted sites as the most suitable for the multi-million pound plant even though access is through an area of outstanding beauty.

Firm plans have not yet been drawn up but they are expected to be submitted next year.

However, detailed plans for the construction of 300 houses on land between Keymer Avenue and Cornwall Avenue have been presented to Lewes District Council.

The public meeting at the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven, included members of a new protest group called Proud - Peacehaven Opposed to Urban Development.

Proud member Jack Walker, who has lived in Keymer Avenue for 25 years, said: "There will be three, four and five-bedroom homes overlooking our bungalows as well as social housing and we all know what that means."

Councillors have already said the proposals are too much too soon and the town's infrastructure cannot cope.

Jack Dunkerton, of Ambleside Avenue, said Peacehaven would be "left in the poo" if the schemes went ahead.

John Hodgson, chairman of the meeting, said: "I'm not putting up with 300 homes on a greenfield site. Get this housing distributed fairly across the Lewes District or there will be a revolt."

Kemp Town MP Des Turner said: "There should not be extra development in Peacehaven, or sewage works for that matter. You have to be willing to fight round after round."

The plans follow a demand by the Government on Lewes District Council that 4,600 extra homes need to be built within its area by 2011.

Monday December 08, 2003