Petition over new homes proposal

Opponents say they do not want houses built on land like this

Campaigners opposing proposals to build 2,500 new homes in East Grinstead have handed in a petition to the town hall.

About 10,000 signatures were presented to the council on Saturday to protest at plans to build the houses by 2016.

Protesters say the town is taking the brunt of major development in the area and they fear the homes will place a huge burden on infrastructure.

But town planners say other places have to put up with development and pressure on facilities has been looked into.

Referendum held

Chris Cousins, head of planning at West Sussex County Council, said: "Crawley, next door, for example is taking over 5,000 (new homes) and the building really represents where the demand for housing is and the others have to go somewhere.

"Two thousand five hundred homes is a big increase for East Grinstead, but there has not been a lot of development there compared to other places in the last few years."

The new homes are earmarked for greenfield sites around the town.

Last year residents used a little known law to hold a referendum on the subject of building the homes.

Of the 3,619 people who voted, 96% voted against the plans with 4% in favour - although the result has no legal impact.