The Pop Idol judge walks his dog, Prancy, on footpaths near the site

The pop impresario, famed for his cutting comments on the hit television show, has now turned his attention to the water company behind plans for the works near his mother Julie's home in Ovingdean.

Mr Cowell is angry because he likes to walk his dog, Prancy, along footpaths next to the proposed site.

He has sent a letter to Southern Water in which he described himself as a "temporary resident" of Ovingdean and warns he will use his "very strong connections" to prevent the plant being built.

Prepared to voice concern

In the letter he states: "I cannot believe you are even considering putting a centre in such a prominent area, especially next door to the historical Roedean School.

"As you may or may not be aware. I do have my own television programme (Pop Idol) being shown here and in the States and I have very strong connections with both national and local newspapers and if necessary would be prepared to voice my concerns to the media over this matter."

Mr Cowell, 43, is currently abroad filming American Idol, but his brother Nicholas said from London: "He feels very strongly they are putting a sewage plant in such an unbelievable and prominent location.

"Put it behind the chairman of Southern Water's house and see if he likes it."

One of eight sites

Chairman of the Campaign for Ovingdean against Sewage Treatment (Coast), Robert Mojab, said: "Simon is obviously angered by it. The field has a lot of footpaths around it that are popular with residents."

A Southern Water spokeswoman said: "We have received a letter from Simon. It was among 2,000 responses as part of a public consultation process we held into eight shortlisted sites to serve Brighton and Hove.

"The responses are being considered by the project team who are carrying out further investigations into all eight sites before they choose a preferred site to proceed with a planning application."