A council is opposing plans to build a sewage plant at Shoreham harbour - one of the biggest brownfield sites in the South.

Adur District Council has taken a tough stand against proposals for the water treatment plant at the harbour.

It is one of eight sites being considered by Southern Water to treat neighbouring Brighton and Hove's sewage.

Councillors fear it could threaten plans to redevelop the harbour as one of the biggest leisure, housing and business sites on the South Coast.

Adur's executive policy board is being recommended to object to the scheme when it meets on Tuesday.

Council leader Neil Parkin urged residents to go to the meeting to hear the debate.

He said: "This is an important issue for the people of Adur. I would like them to hear the debate and take part if they wish.

"Members of the public will have the chance to voice their opinions at the beginning of the meeting."

A report for the board said Shoreham harbour was not suitable as it was too far from the source of the waste water.

An 8km pipe would have to be laid to transport 95 million litres of sewage a day to the harbour for treatment.

A great deal of energy would also be needed to pump the sewage from as far away as Peacehaven.

After treatment it would be discharged into the sea at the Portslade end of the harbour via an outfall pipe.

The report says: "One factor against the harbour site is its distance from Brighton's sewer network.

"A new pumping station would be needed at Black Rock to take the waste water along a new 8km pipeline, under Brighton seafront and the A259.

"The construction of the pipeline would have a major effect on the A259 and the surrounding areas while it was being built."

Councillors will be told government guidelines say all waste water should be collected and treated as close to source as possible.

With other sites being considered by Southern Water being in or much closer to the city, a decision to build the plant in the harbour would breach the guidelines.

The proposal also failed to meet other guidelines on sustainability and self-sufficiency, although it did meet recommendations that the plant should be built on a brownfield site to avoid damage to the environment.

The whole of Shoreham harbour is being considered for redevelopment as part of the Shoreham maritime strategy.

Detailed studies are under way for plans to improve transport and access, including the possibility of building a £100m road tunnel linking the harbour to the A27.

The report said: "Were the Shoreham site to be chosen by Southern Water, it would clearly prejudice the implementation of the Shoreham maritime vision."

The other sites being considered are Black Rock in Kemp Town, Lower Sheepcote Valley and Upper Sheepcote Valley in Brighton, Ovingdean South, Peacehaven East, Brookside Farm tip in Newhaven and North Quay in Newhaven.