Claims that up to 5,000 jobs will be created if plans to build 3,500 homes and a business park are approved were today branded a "red herring".

Martin Wilkes, director of the West Burgess Hill Company, which wants to develop on land to the west of the town, said the development would provide homes for workers and an opportunity for businesses to expand or move into the area.

But a councillor opposed to the development said any jobs would not go to local people as the area already has a high employment rate.

The West Burgess Hill Company wants to build on 460 acres of what it describes as low-grade agricultural land.

The development would also include improvements to the town infrastructure and educational facilities.

If it gets planning permission building could start in 2006 and development would take place over the next 15 to 20 years.

Mr Wilkes said it could create hundreds of construction jobs as well as 5,000 information technology and computer jobs on the half-a-million square metre business development.

He said: "We have heard much in recent months about why development in Mid Sussex and specifically in Burgess Hill is a bad thing.

"Burgess Hill has problems that need solving. If they are not solved, the local community will lose out.

"Businesses complain about the lack of office space and that staff are forced to commute because they cannot afford to live in the town.

"Employers want to train their staff yet there are limited further education outreach centres nearby from which to do so.

"This is despite the fact that there are good universities in the county that would welcome the opportunity to expand their accessibility to those living in Burgess Hill and the surrounding locality.

"Without investment in Burgess Hill those businesses which have succeeded and wish to expand will not have their demands met and will look at other locations not just in the South East but in Europe, for it is in this wider arena that we compete."

Mr Wilkes said they would be helping to create a sustainable community which would support every aspect of the town including housing, employment, community facilities, education, leisure and health.

He said: "We want to tackle skill shortages for business. We intend to implement solutions put forward by the education authorities with easy access centres for learning.

"We want to encourage skills transfers between local small businesses. In time, better facilities will bring in more high street retailers."

Mid Sussex District Councillor Patrick Cutler said: "They are long term jobs. At the moment we are an area of full employment so we cannot supply the labour that is already required.

"It is a chicken and egg situation. We build the houses for the workers and then the workers come in.

"I think it is a bit of a red herring because we are not an area of high unemployment so where are the workers coming from? From outside the area.

"You cannot stop development of the South East but if we have to have it we have to obtain the best advantages for Burgess Hill."

Chris Goldfinch, manager of the Market Place Shopping Centre in Burgess Hill, said: "Obviously it is a controversial issue.

"Providing the infrastructure is improved, it would be okay.

"From a commercial point of view if people will be encouraged to shop in Burgess Hill it would be excellent. It could encourage larger retailers to come here.

"But people say it is low grade agricultural land, yet it is still green countryside they would be building on."