Peacehaven sewage decision - good and bad news

Labour's local MP Des Turner has welcomed the Government's refusal to allow the proposed Peacehaven sewage treatment works.

Des said: “I am delighted that the current proposals from Southern Water to build a sewage treatment works on Lower Hoddern Farm at north Peacehaven has been refused.

However I am deeply disappointed at the Inspector’s recommendation that Lower Hoddern Farm is an appropriate site for a sewage treatment works.

“We would never have been in this position but for the vacillation of East Sussex County Council as the planning authority who endorsed this choice of site thus fatally undermining the objector’s case at the public inquiry.

The fact remains that a site on downland is totally against all basic planning principles and will seriously damage the new National Park.

“This application has been turned down because of its impact on residents by way of noise, smell and appearance. The very site location makes it almost impossible to design a works that can be acceptable on this site.

“The only way forward is still to redouble the efforts to locate the works on a brownfield site which will not have disastrous effects on its neighbours or on precious downland landscape.

“I would therefore strongly urge all parties involved in this process to collaborate in finding a better site to resolve the problems otherwise it is inevitable that Southern Water will continue to pursue the Peacehaven site and will inflict damage on its community and the national park.”

Labour's candidate for Brighton Kemptown Simon Burgess added: "Both with the Portobello and the Peacehaven applications, Southern Water have got it wrong. They should not be trying to build these works on a greenfield site.

This decision means one battle is won, but the campaign to stop Southern Water building a sewage works in Peacehaven goes on."