Campaigners have revived a battle to stop 2,500 homes being built in a market town - ten years after seeing off similar plans.

Proposals put forward in modifications to West Sussex County Council's structure plan would increase the size of East Grinstead by a third.

Members of the 3 Counties Group fought off a scheme in 1993 when then environment secretary Michael Howard stepped in at the eleventh hour.

Under the new plans, more than 2,500 houses would be built on the west or south-west of East Grinstead and a relief road would be created, cutting through the High Weald area of outstanding natural beauty.

Dr Michael Vickers, of the 3 Counties Group, said: "Exactly the same thing happened ten years ago but we fought it.

"The scheme will die this time too because nothing has changed.

"The homes would cause congestion and parking problems and the relief road would make things worse, not better"

County councillor Andrew Brock said he had been voted off the town council in May because of his support of the plans.

He said: "On balance, the scheme would benefit the town but it has got to be managed carefully.

"We have needed an effective bypass for many years and it is a condition of the scheme that a bypass is also built.

"I'm telling people they should think about what they want out of the scheme because they aren't going to stop it."

The revised plans will be on display from January 9 until February 20.

Documents will be available at Mid Sussex District Council offices in Boltro Road, Haywards Heath, and East Grinstead library and help point.

They can also be viewed online at www.westsussex.gov.uk