A date has been set for a public inquiry into plans for a tunnel to transfer millions of litres of sewage a day between Brighton and Peacehaven.

The inquiry is expected to last for at least 44 days and will start on May 17.

A venue has still to be confirmed but it could take place either at the Meridian Centre, Peacehaven, or at Brighton or Hove town halls.

The seven mile underground tunnel would run from Black Rock to Southern Water's controversial treatment centre at Peacehaven.

The tunnel, including a pumping station and storm water overflow pipe, was approved by Brighton and Hove City Council in December.

It will feed the proposed £200 million plant at Lower Hoddern Farm, dubbed Poohaven by opponents.

Southern Water lodged appeals with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott when Brighton and Hove City Council and East Sussex County Council were unable to reach agreement on the project.

More than 150 people packed a pre-inquiry meeting at the Meridian Centre in January.

It was chaired by planning inspector Ken Smith, appointed to oversee the inquiry and report back to Mr Prescott.

He said the inquiry would include legislation on the treatment and disposal of waste water, examine East Sussex and Brighton and Hove's waste plans and the layout, scale and landscaping of the scheme.

Also under consideration will be the importance of communities managing their own waste and the impact of the Brighton and Newhaven Cliffs Site of Special Scientific Interest and the stability of the cliffs.

Health risks, smells from the sewage and traffic impact on the A259 coast road and on children attending local schools is expected to be on the agenda.

Brighton and Hove City Council decided it did not want to make any legal representations at the inquiry.

The council is still awaiting confirmation from Mr Smith about whether it needs to be at the hearing.

East Sussex wanted the inquiry to be held in October to give it time to prepare its submissions.

However, Southern Water pressed for it to be held earlier.

Protester John Hodgson of Capel Avenue, Peacehaven, has called for Brighton and Hove to be represented.

Mr Hodgson is spokesperson for campaign group PROUD - Peacehaven Residents Opposed to Urban Development.

He told The Argus: "I want to cross-examine them because I don't feel they have made any attempt to deal with waste.

"They are exporting it to this community. The council just washes its hands of any waste or sewage problems.

"We are keen for a public inquiry because we know our case is right."

The new plant would serve people in Brighton and Hove, which fails to meet European guidelines for treating sewage water biologically before discharging it into the sea because of delays in upgrading Southern Water's facilities.

The firm originally wanted to extend its existing Portobello treatment plants at Telscombe Cliffs. However, its application was turned down in March 2001, following a public inquiry.