Fears of a new supertown in Mid Sussex were smashed last night.

Councillors put a block on developers itching to build new homes in the

strategic gap between Burgess Hill and Hassocks.

District council officers wanted to ease

planning rules so houses could be built but furious Mid Sussex councillors voted against the idea, fearing it would be the first step towards a merger of the two communities.

Acting as a buffer zone, the gap is designed to limit development and stop Burgess Hill and Hassocks effectively becoming one large town.

A report by council officers said: "It is suggested that the boundary should follow the northern edge of Hassocks, following the boundary from the rear of the gardens in The Spinney to the rear of the gardens in Mackie Avenue.

Liberal Coun Tony Davies said reducing the strategic gap "would be very much the thin end of the wedge, an invitation to developers at some future time."

Lib Dem Coun Patrick Cutler told the meeting people would not forgive the council if the gap was reduced. He added that it was probably the most important issue to affect Hassocks for the last 25 years.

He was supported by Keymer Tory councillor Peter Martin, who said it would give developers "entirely the wrong message."

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