Water supplies could run dry if thousands of new homes are built in Sussex, say campaigners.

Government planners want to pave the way for up to 4,800 more houses in the county every year from 2006 until 2026.

The figures were agreed by the South East England Regional Assembly (Seera) but some councils are now joining a backlash against the plans, saying the Sussex infrastructure cannot cope.

More homes are needed to make up for a 1.1 million housing deficit in an area stretching from Berkshire and Oxfordshire to the Isle of Wight and Kent.

Councillors at Wealden District Council are the latest to raise concerns and say this summer's drought, which prompted both Southern Water and South East Water to issue hosepipe bans, could be a regular problem if the plans go ahead.

Independent leader Councillor Nick Elwood said the council should not be "wimpishly" allocating land for development without being more thorough in ensuring there would be enough water.

He said: "If we don't do something now we'll all be at stand pipes because there's just not enough water in the South-East."

Council leader Nigel Coltman shared some of his concerns but said the council could only go on the word of water companies, which claim the new demand would be met.

However, he said he was "sceptical" because no plans or discussions had begun on constructing the required reservoirs, which may take up to eight years to complete.

The council's fears are shared by Caroline Lucas, Green MEP for the South-East, who believes the plans to build almost 100,000 homes in Sussex would increase the chance of water shortages and the destructive impact of climate change while doing little to address the region's shortage of affordable housing.

A spokeswoman for Seera said the proposed figures for new homes were to undergo further public consultation but they were set after having received feedback from utilities companies and the Environment Agency stating they could cope.

South East Water has a 25-year resource plan to cater for the new homes and is investing £60 million during the next five years to create new resources and a plant which transforms sea water into drinking water.

Thursday, August 4, 2005