Hundreds of protesters today crammed into the first day of a public inquiry into plans for a new sewage treatment works at Telscombe Cliffs.

At one point the crowds were so great it was impossible to get into the main hall of

the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven, to hear the opening of the lengthy Portobello inquiry.

Later, when the inquiry got under way, the protesters heard East Sussex County Council's representative Matthew Horton, QC, describe the proposal to build the works as one that "flies in the face of some of the strictest planning policies to be found in this country."

Young children on half term holiday were in the hall carrying placards saying "No to Portosmello" and "Save Our Beaches".

Protesters from all political parties united against Southern Water's proposals.

Rottingdean Tory councillor Linda Hyde carried a placard saying "Prescott, say No or Go".

Despite the packed venue the inquiry got underway on time at 10am.

Planning inspector Simon Gibbs said he expected it to last into next year.

There was a clash between the two high-powered QCs who will be fighting it out at the inquiry.

Mr Horton, for East Sussex, said he had tried to get some details of costings for Southern Water's plans to upgrade its existing Portobello works at Telscombe.

But Southern Water's QC said the figures were confidential.

Nearly 300 people were packed into the hall. One of the protesters was Jeanette Allen, widow of Councillor Robin Allen, who collapsed and died at an East Sussex County Council meeting in June after making an impassioned speech against the project.

Southern Water says that Telscombe Cliffs is the best possible place to build a new sewage treatment works to treat millions of gallons of sewage from Brighton, Hove and Newhaven, to provide cleaner seas off the Sussex coast as demanded by the European Union.

Mr Horton, explaining the background to the case, said East Sussex County Council members had twice turned down Southern Water's plans to build the works at Telscombe Cliffs.

He said the council officers had originally recommended that both proposals should be accepted, but the elected members of the council had said no.

The decision of the elected members had been vindicated by independent consultants.

"Officers did not under stand accurately the true

position," said Mr Horton.

He said the planned works were in an area of outstanding natural beauty which was one of the strictest restricted building areas.

"This proposal will cause actual harm to an area of outstanding natural beauty. It will cause harm to the visual aspects for people walking and visiting the area.

"It will cause actual harm to Peacehaven's only listed building, the Badgers Watch pub, actual harm to an area designated to be of special scientific interest."

Mr Horton went to say that it would increase vehicle emissions on the South Coast Road and and put more traffic on a road where there have been several accidents.

The hearing continues.

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