We don't want city's sewage, says mayor

At their meeting last week, town councillors were unanimous in their strong opposition to a new treatment plant to take waste from the Brighton conurbation.

They said that there can be no environmental or other justification for 'dumping' this plant, and the sewage it will treat, on the people of Newhaven.

The water company had put forward two possible sites in Newhaven - one at North Quay, and the other at Brookside Farm Tip.

Waste, the council said, should be treated as close as possible to where it is produced, and this particular waste should go to one of the sites being considered within Brighton and Hove.

They cited the huge cost of building a pipeline and several pumping stations to transport the sewage from its source to Newhaven and also the increased running costs, both of which were contrary to the principle of 'sustainability'.

At Brookside Farm there would be a hugely detrimental visual impact if the plant were placed at this site, against the backdrop of the South Downs, councillors agreed. And at North Quay there would be a loss of land that may be required by the port as regeneration gets under way.

Said the Mayor of Newhaven, Cllr Dennis Forsdike: 'The residents of Newhaven are fed up with the town being treated as a dumping ground for another town's rubbish and sewerage.

'Brighton and Hove Council should face up to their responsibilities and deal with their waste within the boundary of their city.'