The meanders of the Cuckmere Valley are popular with tourists

Controversial plans by the Environment Agency would see the valley, created by the Victorians in 1846, turned into a salt marsh and nature reserve.

People living nearby have now announced they have submitted their own planning application for the area in Sussex.

Despite not owning the land, the group wants to build defences which would keep the valley in its current state.

This is the signature view of Sussex Stefano Diella, resident

They say the agency's plan will destroy wildlife, footpaths and even parts of the local beach.

Residents Stefano Diella said: "I feel it could be disastrous for the area.

"This is the signature view of Sussex.

"It is something that I have seen whenever I have travelled worldwide - the Seven Sisters, the Cuckmere Valley, the meanders.

Ecology 'not upset'

"Visitors come here to enjoy the valley and if you turn it into mud flats they are not going to come here."

Another resident Des Abbot said: "We put in the planning application to show a simple solution to the protection of the riverbank by lifting the banks about 12 inches and using a chalk material rather than metal and concrete that the Environment Agency was proposing.

"In that way the ecology of the area is not upset very much."

The Environment Agency said in a statement: "We are aware of the planning application that has been submitted, but it does not contain nearly enough information for us to give detailed comment.

"We are still carrying out detailed studies to ensure that we take the correct action in the best interest of the valley."