PLANS to build homes near an idyllic flood plain have been slammed by neighbours.

Developer Persimmon Homes has proposed to build 119 homes on a field south of Uckfield.

But residents have branded the plans “absurd” because the site often floods.

“It’s ridiculous,” said resident Carol Baker.

“The plans will destroy protected trees and affect the habitats of bats, deer, badgers, and dormice.”

Ms Baker said she was worried about the quality of the homes as developer Persimmon was recently named the worst major housebuilder in the country by the Home Builders Federation.

Karen Bedwell was concerned the development will devastate wildlife in the area.

He said: “The raised grassland provides a natural soak away of rainwater.

“It provides a perfect natural corridor for wildlife, wildlife which is continuously being uprooted by building developments.

“Deer get disorientated now, there are displaced foxes on the local school playing field, and badgers are being dug out of sets.”

Ms Bedwell feared Uckfield will not be able to cope with more residents living on the outskirts of the town.

“Uckfield simply cannot continue to have large housing developments foisted upon it without due diligence,” she said.

“Stop adding on more and more to communities who cannot continue to support such increases to their populations on so many different levels.

“You are changing our landscape, nature and communities and not for the better.”

The Ridgewood resident worried patients in the nearby Uckfield Community Hospital would lose their privacy if the homes were built.

“If 119 homes are put on to the Mallard field how are the patients going to have their privacy protected from people looking from their windows straight into their beds?

“Should people undergoing treatment or in the last days of life be subjected to having their curtains closed all day?

“Is there not any moral code that prevents planners from placing houses that face directly on to hospital beds?”

A spokesman for Persimmon Homes said it was taking all precautions to minimise damage to the land if its development goes ahead.

“Areas of open space and landscaping will be positively managed to support and enhance wildlife and biodiversity,” he said. “And impact of the traffic generated by the proposed development upon the local highways has been found to be acceptable.”