Government plans to build 39,000 houses a year in the South East have come under fire from a conservation watchdog.
The influential Sussex Downs Conservation Board says the region is already too overcrowded to find room for the anticipated number of new homes.
It is particularly concerned the recently published figures will mean too many houses being built in East and West Sussex, particularly West Sussex.
Draft planning guidelines for the South East produced by ministers set targets for the building of 39,000 homes a year, rising to 43,000 after 2006.
Earlier proposals had capped new building at between 33,000 and 36,000 houses a year.
The board's planning committee meets on Monday to decide whether to formally object to the proposals.
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