A controversial £200 million sewage plant could seriously damage marine life because it would not use the latest technology, an inquiry has been told.

Dr Sheila Lewenhak, of campaign group Save Our Seabirds, said birds and fish would suffer from discharges from the proposed plant at Lower Hoddern Farm, Peacehaven.

Campaigners applauded as Dr Lewenhak, of Cornfield Terrace, Eastbourne, berated the company's experts about the impact the new plant could have on wildlife.

Together with protesters from Surfers Against Sewage, she has argued that a higher standard of sewage treatment would save the ecology of the English Channel.

She said: "There's no need for the South-East of England to be perpetuating this need to live in a cess pool."

She said groundbreaking technology, using ultaviolet treatment to disinfect water before recycling it, is used by plants in places such as Calgary in Canada.

She said a similar system here would protect wildlife and bathing beaches from effluent being pumped into the sea.

The public inquiry, now entering its third week, is hearing an appeal by Southern Water following East Sussex County Council's failure to decide on its original application for the plant.

It is the second such inquiry, after plans to build the facility in nearby Portobello were turned down in 2000.

Dr Lewenhak said: "We cannot understand why, in view of these successes in other parts of the world, Southern Water has not produced a plan to treat Brighton and Hove's water to the highest possible standards.

"The whole thing is backward looking, it's stuck in the past. We have to get our priorities right."

Residents have already protested outside proceedings at the Meridian Centre about the smell, noise, traffic and visual impact the plant could have. Tonight they will get their chance to read statements to planning inspector Ken Smith.

Des Turner, MP for Brighton Kemp Town, said he was pleased he did not live in one of the homes bordering the proposed works, which at 12 hectares would be the size of 17 football pitches.

Mr Turner said: "I can only say how glad I am that I don't live near it. Clearly noise is an issue that can't be ignored."

The closest property would be less than 180 metres away but Philip Evans, Southern Water's acoustics expert, said research showed families would be able to sleep soundly, despite the plant running during the night.

A new treatment plant is necessary to ensure the UK complies with the EU Wastewater Directive, put in place at the end of 2000.