LAWYERS summing up the six- week "Poohaven" public inquiry have accused Southern Water of trying to "dump" its proposed

£200 million sewage works on beautiful countryside.

Speaking on the final day of the lengthy hearing yesterday, Matthew Horton, acting for East Sussex County Council, said the controversial development, at Lower Hoddern Farm, Peacehaven, would be inappropriate, unsightly, offensive and could stink.

He was countered by lawyers for Southern Water who maintained its proposals were urgently needed and that concerns over noise, smell and the work's overall impact would be dealt with.

Mr Horton said: "One only has to look at the aerial photos to appreciate how enormous the installation will be both in its own right and compared to any single building in Peacehaven.

"They show, in its true colours, a sewage works which has been dumped in the countryside.

"There is a spectre hanging over the development which may not be banished with time, namely that with unpredictable frequency the works would create offensive smells not only across the open space and sports pitches but in gardens and homes. Were that to occur, it may not be confined to daytime.

"One only has to imagine the unpleasantness of being indoors on a hot night with bedroom windows open to realise the threat which the development poses."

Mr Horton said the surrounding "unique" countryside would be ruined by the works which were "entirely inappropriate to the setting".

He urged the planning inspector Ken Smith and Ruth Kelly, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, who will make the final decision, to "search their hearts" to reject the plans as they stand.

The inquiry has heard wide-ranging evidence over the works, including how a seven-mile tunnel, which would run from Black Rock, Brighton, could damage homes when built.

Also among the plans are pumping stations at Marine Drive, Roedean and Portobello, Telscombe Cliffs, and a 1.5 mile sea outfall at Friars Bay.

Brighton Kemptown MP Des Turner said the works would be "ugly, intrusive, noisy and smelly" and "very unfair on Peacehaven".

However in their closing submissions, lawyers for Southern Water said the works were urgently needed for the area, in part to improve the quality of sea water off the coast.

Robin Purchas QC said: "The need and the urgency of it are widely acknowledged both by parties to the inquiry and others.

"At the inquiry, Dr Turner MP twice agreed that the need was unquestionable."

Responding to claims the works would stink, Mr Purchas said the site would meet stringent odour control guidelines and that "there can be confidence that these controls are appropriate and comprehensive."

A decision on the sewage works is not expected before the end of September.