A retractable flood wall will be used to protect a town from flooding, a developer has promised.

At the weekend dozens of residents built a mock flood defence in Lewes to express their fears about proposals to wall off Pells Pool from Talbot Terrace.

Now Angel Property has pledged to use a removable wall that would only be put up in times of flood warning.

Some kind of flood defence is necessary to prepare for Angel Property's £150 million, 800-home riverside development on the flood plain.

But people living in the town are concerned that a large wall would not be in keeping with the lake.

Denise Turner of Phoenix Action, a group set up to represent the views of residents, said: "While we are aware that the Phoenix development would make flooding worse in this area, we are not convinced that the proposed flood wall would adequately protect us.

"The wall will spoil the outlook and way of life that many residents enjoy. Feeding the ducks will not be the same with a two-metre-high wall fronting the lake.

"We would prefer to see a flood defence placed on the far side of the Pells."

She said the group was convinced Angel Property was trying to go for the cheapest option.

John Stockdale, chairman of Phoenix Action, said in principle the idea of a retractable wall was better than a permanent one but he said residents would want to examine the plans in detail.

He said: "We have seen a number of different proposals. It is now becoming quite confusing. A collapsible wall is obviously less intrusive."

Charles Style, chairman of London-based Angel Property, said they had considered placing the wall on the other side of the Pells but decided it would not be effective.

He said: "It would have to be considerably higher because ground levels are low. On the other side of the lake there is a nature reserve and rivers.

"It would be very difficult to build a wall along there and it isn't the preferred option of the Environment Agency.

"We are proposing to build a demountable wall. Our engineers have used this system in a similar situation on the River Severn."

In the event of a flood warning, Mr Style said, the 1.8-metre-high wall would be put up by the fire service.

He said the firm had consulted bodies including English Heritage, local councils, the highways department, residents' associations and the chamber of commerce.

He said: "We are aware it is a very attractive site. We can well understand the concern that they would not like to see a big wall there."

The planning application will be submitted to Lewes District Council in July. For more information about Phoenix Action, visit www.phoenixaction.co.uk