National park campaigners have reported a council to the local government watchdog, accusing it of issuing inaccurate information.
The South Downs Campaign said West Sussex County Council had released a series of scaremongering papers and Press releases.
Among examples were calling the proposals for the South Downs a nationalised park and the proposed ruling national park authority a Quango.
Robin Crane, who chairs the campaign, said the council had claimed the designation process was undemocratic yet had not asked local people for their opinions.
The council is among a group of Conservative-controlled authorities opposed to a park.
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