Battle plans are being drawn up against a Southern Water proposal to build a sewage treatment works next to an exclusive Sussex village.

There was horror when we revealed that a site at Ovingdean was one of eight possible locations being considered for a multi-million treatment plant.

Ovingdean is the engineers' favoured site because there is a natural fall into the valley and it is close to the sea.

But the site next to Roedean School, on a sloping field by the Ovingdean roundabout off the main A259 South Coast Road, would be easily visible.

Residents, who include millionaire doctor Harry Brunjes, want to ensure Southern Water does not submit a planning application for Ovingdean.

Tory ward councillors David Smith and Brian have arranged a public meeting at Ovingdean Village Hall on Saturday January 11 at 11am.

Councillor Smith said: "There is horror that the green fields of Ovingdean could be considered as a suitable site for a sewage treatment works. The people of Ovingdean will not stand for it."

Farmer David Baker, who rents the field which would be turned into the treatment works, said: "Nobody in the village wants it there. I certainly would not like to lose 20 acres to a treatment works."

Bob Richardson, secretary of Ovingdean Residents' Association, said: "We believe this site at Ovingdean is the wrong choice as it is within the boundaries of the National Park and we will be campaigning to ensure Southern Water do not build there."

Southern Water has already had plans to expand its Portobello works at Telscombe Cliffs rejected following a lengthy public inquiry.

The firm must build a modern treatment plant somewhere between Shoreham and Newhaven or face heavy fines for polluting the English Channel.