Waste burner inquiry anger

East Sussex County Council has revealed that the Waste Local Plan inquiry, due to start on May 13, is likely to held in the county town - despite Newhaven being earmarked as the site for a burner to dispose of Brighton and Hove's rubbish.

Since the controversial bid was first made public angry people from the Seahaven coastal strip have joined forces to fight the plan. The majority of the 13,000 objections to the waste plan came from the Seahaven area.

But a council spokeswoman defended its intention to hold the inquiry in Lewes.

She said: 'Lewes is felt to be the most suitable location as it is easily accessible to the majority of those who have objected to the plan, being well served by transport links across the county.

'The choice of location has been strongly endorsed by the inspector.'

Chairman of the anti-incinerator group DOVE, Joelle van Tinteren, said the decision made no sense.

'Given that it is Newhaven which is proposed for the largest waste plant in the county it would make democratic sense to hold the public inquiry here - it makes little sense for it to be held elsewhere.'

County council member for Seaford Sutton Ward Cllr Mike Murphy had called for the venue to be changed.

He said: 'I believe the public inquiry is to be held in Lewes. I have lobbied the county on this matter and I am extremely disappointed.

'I feel that as people in Seaford and Newhaven would be those most affected by an incinerator proposal they should have the inquiry in their own area.'

Newhaven county councillor David Rogers argued Newhaven would be convenient for objectors in Seaford, the Ouse Valley, Lewes, Peacehaven and Telscombe.

And those who backed the bid should to be made to plead their case in the town it would most affect.

Cllr Rogers added: 'Given that those who represent areas from which the waste would be brought to be dumped on Newhaven always appear so bullish about the prospects of doing so, I have no doubt that they would welcome the opportunity to come and make that argument in person in front of the residents of Newhaven.'