The Government is insisting thousands of new homes should be built in East Sussex during the next 20 years.

More than half the county is ruled out because it is downland or of outstanding natural beauty.

That puts most of the pressure on the Weald. East Sussex County Council is finding something has got to give.

Sadly for the people in this peaceful part of the county, the prime site for a new town could be land between Lewes and Uckfield.

Even though the area is delightfully rural at present, it may have to be sacrificed to satisfy the Government's insatiable demand for more homes.

There will be enormous opposition to this proposal, even though the bitter pill could be sugared by the reopening of the Lewes to Uckfield railway line.

Despite this proposal, a new town would put enormous strain on local roads, especially the busy, narrow A26.

There is always the danger that eventually it will sprawl over more land to meet Uckfield, a town which has already grown far bigger than it should.

The council cannot be blamed for trying to make the best of an impossible job.

Blame should be placed on the Government, which is hell-bent on ruining Sussex with too many homes, even though there are huge brownfield sites waiting to be developed in many English cities.