A new road could lead to a surge in greenfield housebuilding, an environment group has warned.

The A27 Action Group said hundreds of houses could be built if plans to link the Polegate bypass to the main South Coast road to the west went ahead.

Spokesman Alan Chapman said government-sponsored transport plans backed the link, which could open up land for building around Honey Farm.

He said the junction between the A22 and the A27 should be improved instead, which would be less expensive.

He said: "We know Polegate is going to have to take more housing but any built in this triangle is likely to be in addition to those already allocated.

"Where there are roads, house building inevitably follows. Polegate should not have to take more than its fair share."