An historic village is making a stand against the demolition of a unique flint wall.

People in Ditchling are furious over plans for a five-bedroom house and two semi-detached homes in the grounds of The Jointure, once the home of artist Sir Frank Brangwyn.

The artist lived in The Jointure from 1918 to 1956 and was responsible for establishing Ditchling as a haven for artists.

Michael Hughes, 43, who owns The Jointure and runs the Wild Dog design agency in Brighton, said: "I find it ironic that we could be marking the 50th anniversary of his death by demolishing the walls of his garden.

"What is the point of having tree conservation orders and listed buildings if they are not adhered to?"

The demolition of flint walls always sparks controversy in Sussex because they are a distinctive feature of the county.

Ditchling Parish Council and Ditchling Preservation Society said the buildings in South Street would set a precedent as they are proposed within a conservation area.

They said approval of the plans would pave the way for other developments in Ditchling involving the demolition of homes and building new houses in large gardens.

They say their fight against the development is a test of the strength of conservation and tree preservation orders and listed building status.

Ditchling, which nestles at the foot of the South Downs north of Brighton, has fought hard to preserve its identity. It was recently featured on BBC4's A Very English Village.

The development is being proposed by developers Rydon Homes on behalf of the Crosby Cook Trust, which owns the land around The Jointure.

The trust was formed by Elizabeth and Crosby Cook, who maintained and lived in the property for many years after Sir Frank died.

The developers say the wall has been breached in at least one spot and has been weakened by tree growth. They said the properties have been designed to fit in with Ditchling village.

They propose building a five-bedroom house, which would probably go on the market for almost a million pounds, and two semi-detached homes.

To make way for these two new houses, between 150 and 200 feet of a flint wall will have to be demolished.

A flint and brick building in the garden, which is used as a store and also has a preservation order on it, would go as well. The 18th Century store is regarded as part of Ditchling's agricultural heritage.

The plans do include the re-alignment of the wall, also built in the 18th Century.

Chairman of the parish council Tom Jones said: "I am very much against this. The wall is feature of the village and even if it's partly put back, it will never look the same."

Tom Dufty, chairman of the Ditchling Society, said: "The flint walls of Ditchling are an important part of its architectural heritage and strongly reflect the geology of the parish and its geographic location.

"Conservation of these distinctive local features is particularly important in the context of a future national park. The walls emphasise the link between this historic settlement and the Downs.

"The flint wall is one of the finest examples in the village and, allowing for one access point, is possibly the longest one in the village."