A town will become a "twilight zone" for businesses if plans for 3,500 homes are rejected, telecommunications bosses have said.
In a letter to the directors of the West Burgess Hill Company (WBHC)
backing its plans for mass building to the west of Burgess Hill, Crane Telecommunications said some of its 200 employees had to commute more than 120 miles a day because they found the town "unattractive and unwelcoming".
Russell Piper, director of human resources at the Burgess Hill-based firm, said: "We are continually hampered by the lack of housing and facilities when attempting to attract skilled labour to this area."
The WBHC wants to build up to 3,500 homes, 500,000sqm of business space, educational facilities and make infrastructure improvements to the west of the town during the next 20 years.
Its plans have met widespread opposition from residents and community leaders but support has been growing among the business community.
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