Sewage works appeal delay

The plans by Southern Water Services Ltd to build a wastewater treatment facility on land near Lower Hoddern Farm have caused uproar in the town.

Local activist John Hodgson, who is fighting the proposal, said: 'We have received a letter from the Secretary of State saying that her department will be getting a decision out as soon as possible but the anticipated date of April 12 is not binding and it is unusual to make major decisions on the infrastructure in what may be the run-up to an election.'

He added: 'My interpretation is that the Government is determined not to have another debacle like the Falmer verdict where a decision was obviously rushed through and people were able to pick holes in it. At least it seems due process will be observed in our case and 15,000 objections will not be ignored.'