A town dubbed a 'magnet for homebuyers' by a major developer cannot cope with any more new properties.

That is the view of councillors in Hailsham after it was revealed that another 146 homes are planned for the area.

Redrow Homes announced plans for the development and bosses hope work will begin early next year if planning permission is granted.

The £26m development, planned for a 12 acre site off Battle Road, already has outline planning permission.

Around 30 per cent of the properties will be designated as affordable housing.

Redrow Homes drew up the new plans after the firm said its last project of 33 homes in the town had "virtually sold themselves".

But Hailsham mayor Nick Ellwood says the town cannot cope with anymore developments.

He also criticised Wealden District Council, saying it had allowed several building schemes in the town without improvements to roads, schools and healthcare.

Councillor Ellwood said: "Hailsham has been a dumping ground for new houses which we are being forced to take by Wealden District Council and which I believe are to the detriment of the town.

"Money from the developers is being spent outside of Hailsham so we are not seeing any significant infrastructure improvements to roads, schools or doctor's surgeries.

"The Government has asked for an extra 3,000 houses in Wealden and they have to go somewhere, but our sewage system is also already at capacity and can't deal with anymore homes.

"To me it's crisis management and is not being handled properly."

Mr Ellwood said that one possible solution to incorporate the 3,000 extra homes would be to create an entirely new town near Berwick.

He added: "New houses need new infrastructure first and this could be best achieved by building a new town and land near Berwick is a prime location as it has a railway line and good road links.

"Tacking houses onto communities without infrastructure improvements creates problems for existing residents."

As well as the homes, the proposed scheme would feature a children's play area, junior football area and an ecology reserve.

A spokeswoman for Wealden District Council said: "In assessing any planning application, we consult with relevant infrastructure providers for advice on capacity and, if necessary, the scope and cost of increasing such capacity.

"We expect that the development must contribute towards any such capacity expansion, primarily through section 106 agreements.

"The council's development control south sub-committee considered all such advice when it approved a scheme for 120 dwellings.

"It was a requirement that Section 106 contributions would be required in respect of this development in several areas of infrastructure provision, including highway improvements.

"The 146 dwelling proposal was refused by the council but granted on appeal with similar conditions.

"Our town and parish councils are automatic consultees and it is the case that the Hailsham Town Council has supported some housing applications and objected to others as is their right."

Can Hailsham cope with any more homes? Or is your area already struggling to cope with the number of new homes being built? Tell us below.