Campaigners who lost their battle to stop 800 homes being built on ancient woodland have been dealt a fresh blow with news the number of houses could double.

Building work has already started on the initial 800 properties at Bolnore Village near Haywards Heath.

But a further 400 have been earmarked by council chiefs after Government officials decided more housing was needed in Mid Sussex, bringing the total to 1,200.

Although the size of the site will not be increased, new Government guidelines allow a higher housing density.

The proposal, part of West Sussex County Council's structure plan, has been blasted by opponents.

The initial plan to develop the site went to a public inquiry after protesters claimed it would damage a vital piece of Sussex wildlife.

One of them, Dave Bangs, said: "There's bound to be a very steep deterioration in the quality of the woodland. A greater use means more disturbance for the wildlife.

"There's already evidence to suggest many of the rare species there, such as purple emperor butterflies, won't survive the development.

"It's one of the worst tragedies to hit wildlife in Sussex in recent years."

John Burke, 65, of nearby Ashenground Road, said: "This area is already overcrowded and the burden on utilities and other facilities is already very high. It will increase pollution, noise and traffic in the area."

Mid Sussex district councillor Anne Jones said: "I'm very upset that it's going to be a higher density.

"Although I recognise there is a need for affordable housing in the area, I'm worried that this may affect the quality of the houses, and I also worry about the impact on the environment."

However, the council's planning chiefs defended the proposal.

A spokesperson said: "It's actually a very efficient and effective way of developing the land. We need another four or five hundred homes in the area to live up to the Government's quota and it seemed right to build them on an existing site."