At a lively public meeting last Friday, they quizzed political leaders on what action can be taken against government inspector Andrew Newman's report stating there was no good reason for Pebsham not to have more waste facilities. As previously reported in the Observer, the comments followed an inquiry into the county council's controversial Waste Local Plan. Mr Newman's report suggested plans for a waste transfer station could be moved to Pebsham, which was previously a reserve site. Newly elected county councillor Martin Kenward told the meeting at Pebsham Community Centre, he would temporarily abandon party politics if the Conservative led East Sussex County Council propose more waste facilities for Pebsham, and vote against the plans. He said: "I will not be supporting the Conservative group if there is anything whatsoever recommended in Pebsham. "It has been indicated that a sorting plant will remain, but I will strongly put the case there should be nothing at all. "The inspector can make his recommendations, but that doesn't mean county has to go with them." MP Greg Barker vowed to take the argument to Parliament and exert as much pressure as he can. Furious Mr Barker told the meeting: "For too long have the residents of Pebsham put up with this. "It's done its best and now it's someone else's turn. It's time the dump closes and the land returns to its natural use. The inspectors have done Pebsham a huge disservice and not taken on board what it does to the people here. "Pebsham could see the light at the end of the tunnel or face a second sentence." Rother leader Graham Gubby pledged his support to residents, though admitted the main say on the issue would be at county level. He said: "I'm here to listen and to say Rother District Council will do all we can to support your point of view." Commenting on questions from the floor about the facilities Pebsham may have to host, Cllr Gubby explained: "The Inspector has responded to the waste plans saying that sites can or cannot do certain things. "We now have to wait for the contractors solutions to the problems to see what they decide. "Until we know what they are going to suggest, we must marshall our arguments against any proposals." Also present at the meeting were Rother councillors for Pebsham, Charles Clark and Peter Fairhurst. The assembled politicians all agreed when questioned that far better alternatives exist to more waste facilities at Pebsham. Mr Barker said it was profoundly unfair for the area to deal with rubbish from Brighton and Hove, and suggested the use of chalk pits and the continental idea of "more digestible" sized waste units in industrial areas. Cllr Gubby was in agreement with the MP. "Just because rubbish has got to go somewhere, it doesn't mean we should cave in. Certainly there are better places as far as dealing with rubbish from Brighton and Hove is concerned." There was widespread worry the proposed Countryside Park would end up flanked by rubbish works and traffic would increase. "The area would be completely unsuitable," said one resident. Cllr Charles Clark, added: "The park will be a tremendous asset and in a utopia the rubbish facilities would completely disappear. "Has no one thought of looking into the impact of having a waste transfer plant there?" East Sussex County Council's cabinet will report their recommendations in December, with uncertainty surrounding Pebsham's role and the future of the proposed Countryside Park.