A consultation document on a multi-million pound redevelopment has been criticised because it is full of jargon.

Councillors received so many complaints about the 70-page brochure that they asked for it to be rewritten.

Instead, members of the public are to be given more time to get to grips with the confusing text delaying the process by two months.

The document was supposed to outline the planned changes to Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead.

But it is full of words like "permeability" and "legibility" which were deemed too difficult for the public to understand. Residents in the towns criticised its "cramped and confusing" pictures and inaccurate plans drawn up with an "obvious lack of local knowledge".

Coun Graham Knight, of Mid Sussex District Council, said: "We've asked that the plans are not dumbed down but rewritten in plain English. There's a lot of interest in these developments but people have to be sure what we're trying to achieve."

The six-week consultation, which was due to end today, will now continue through April and May.

Residents have described the consultation, which includes proposals to bulldoze homes and build a multiplex cinema, as "patronising" . Burgess Hill campaigners have even set up their own web forum to share their concerns.

But councillors believe people are slowly becoming convinced by the ambitious schemes although they still need proper explanation. Exhibitions have been set up in each of the three towns to illustrate them.

In a letter to council chiefs, Coun Knight said: "I feel there is an urgent need to rethink the displays and presentation of these concept planning documents and extend the public consultation period with revamped displays and improved manned exhibitions."

Coun Knight criticised the use of planning jargon, which he said showed an inability to communicate. He said: "The people of Mid Sussex are not being served well by poor, confusing displays which have inaccuracies as well as vague and unfathomable slogans in them.

"Using words like 'legibility' and 'permeability' shows a lack of understanding or inability of how to communicate what is trying to be achieved. The planning documents when adopted are to last for a generation. The council needs to get them right, even if it takes a little longer. Our communities deserve better."

The council has agreed to accept residents' responses to plans for another two months, but not re-format the consultation.

Chief executive John Jory said: "We recognise the community wants to comment further on the draft proposals. In recognition of the level of community interest we have decided to defer making a decision on how to proceed until July. "There seems to be a great deal of support for town centre investment so I think the council will adopt a Master Plan, amended to reflect views being expressed."