Disgruntled families are using cyberspace to discuss a multi-million pound development in their town.

They say the official consultation was patronising.

Richard Light began the web forum when he returned home from holiday to find parts of Burgess Hill were to be bulldozed to make way for a new road scheme.

Three dental surgeries could disappear under tarmac while a public square, affordable homes and a multiplex cinema are built.

However, people in the town are complaining that they only have access to a static display in the library, to be attended by an expert for two days before the end of the month, to inspect the plans.

They have been presented by Mid Sussex District Council and architects Urban Initiatives,as part of the ambitious Better Mid Sussex scheme.

Along with residents of Haywards Heath and East Grinstead, the people of Burgess Hill now have just four weeks to respond to the proposals.

Mr Light said: "I was away on holiday when the consultation started and came back to find people having genuine concerns.

"Lots of issues have come up and there was a genuine feeling of helplessness. As an exercise in public consultation, this struck me as both inadequate and patronising and I just decided someone should do something.

"The message I get is that the council want to be seen to have consulted the public but that they don't really expect to hear anything that would change their minds about what needs to be done."

Mr Light unveiled his website to members of Burgess Hill Town Council on Monday night.

He has already invited more than 50 councillors and developers to join the discussion. So far four have logged on.

He said: "I think there's a lot of concern among people who have tried to make sense of what they've seen.

"There have been consultations before. In that sense, they've attempted to canvass the views of the local community.

"However, there's a sense of helplessness in people trying to get to grips with these very detailed plans for the future shape of our town in just six weeks."

Anger has already been expressed by people in homes facing the prospect of demolition.

Families in Queen's Crescent and Station Road fear their homes will be bulldozed to make way for a new route into the town.

Mr Light said three dentists'

surgeries could be lost in the move.

Independent traders have also voiced concerns, with larger chains set to move in.

Two weeks ago, Christine Field, leader of Mid Sussex District Council, said:

"Consultation is a bit of a devalued process these days but we do want to hear from people."

However, Better Mid Sussex have announced no public meetings to discuss the plans.

Both the town and district councils applauded the webbased scheme, though neither knew why an official version had not been employed.

Town clerk David Carden said: "If this website is a genuine effort to engage people in the consultation process, then the town council welcomes it.

"The use of technology has to be a good thing and people who are against the plans can put forward some alternative suggestions.

But to do nothing is not an option."

Details can be found on www.smartgroups.com/group/group.cfm?GID=3416690