Campaigners fighting plans to build 2,000 homes in their area will hold a series of meetings in a bid to stir up protest.

The area west of Horsham and at Broadbridge Heath could be forced to take 2,000 properties despite a public consultation this year referring to only 1,250 homes.

Horsham District Council announced the last-minute rise in housing numbers after realising its planning blueprint must run to 2018 and not 2016 as previously thought.

The council has insisted the mix-up over dates was due to the absence of clear Government advice but said the new timetable would enable a more comprehensive masterplan for the whole site either side of the A24.

Weald Vale Association will hold short presentations against the plans.

Members fear the plans would result in too many houses, ill-conceived road systems and would put too much strain on local services.

Rob Fryatt said: "Horsham District Council has made a total sham of what was supposed to be a public consultation process. We want to draw attention to the chaos there will be if these plans go ahead.

"The council seems keen to concrete over fields between our villages. This will eventually lead to our villages coalescing and becoming one big development."

The association hopes to get 2,000 objections from 2,000 individuals and to put pressure on the council to stick to 1,000 homes in west Horsham and find small developments elsewhere to meet targets.

Villagers at Broadbridge Heath are furious that they would have to take 1,240 of the proposed extra homes.

They fear the identity of their village will disappear if its population of 3,000 doubles in size.

Parish councillor Barry Mursell, a member of the association, said: "These homes will swamp Broadbridge Heath and ruin its present character."

Horsham District Council said the association's views were a legitimate part of the process for making representations on the draft Local Development Framework.

A spokesman said: "We have provided 1,000 copies of the representation form for representatives of Weald Vale Association to use at their forthcoming events."

An independent inspector will hold a public inquiry on the proposals.

Sessions organised by the Weald Vale Association will be held at Broadbridge Heath Scout Hall on November 19, from 9am to 12pm; Barns Green Village Hall on November 22, from 6.30pm to 9pm; Park Barn, in Horsham Park, on December 1, from 6.30pm to 9pm; and Arunside School, Horsham, on December 3, from 9am to 12pm.