But the move today sparked a furious row between two council leaders.

Worthing Council planners say the new factories will bring much-needed jobs to the town.

But West Sussex County Council's Conservative leader Graham Forshaw said today that the move would destroy a greenfield site and endanger the future of the Downs.

Worthing Council asked researchers at Portsmouth University to identify new land in the area which could be opened up for development.

Coun Forshaw said: "The Liberal Democrats are determined to build on every last inch of green space in Worthing.

"This is their latest attack on the few open fields left on the eastern edge of the town.

"Less than a year ago they were shamed into reversing plans for building in the Goring Gap on the western edge of town. Unless they are stopped, the next target will be the South Downs.

"What they never seem to understand is that if you build new factories, this creates further demand for new homes.

"New homes mean more roads, more schools and more services. This tunnel vision will create a concrete town."

Worthing planners today branded Mr Forshaw "the enemy of Worthing" for his stand on the issue.

Chris Sargent, chair of planning at Worthing, hit back, saying: "We are negotiating with landowners in the hope they will contribute £5 million to build the East Worthing access road.

"That would release land for housing and also jobs.

"It is rubbish to suggest we want to turn Worthing into a concrete town - this is what West Sussex wants!

"Worthing needs jobs. We suffered badly in the recession. There is more unemployment here than in some parts of northern England.

"This is very good news but the county council is trying to find ways around supporting us.

"Mr Forshaw is the enemy of Worthing. Everything we try to do for the future of the town, he opposes.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.