HISTORY fans are worried that 600 homes on fields and woods north of Burgess Hill would ruin the remains of a roman road.
They are also concerned about the environmental impact of the proposals on fields dating to medieval times.
A total of about 600 new homes has been suggested on various sites by developers on land to the east of Isaacs Lane and west of the Bedelands Nature Reserve.
Part of the site includes the northern end of Freaks Lane, where remains of a Roman road that ran through part of Burgess Hill are marked.
The future of the land will not be decided until next year, when final lists of sites in the so-called small-scale housing allocations are considered by councillors and an inspector at public hearing.
But people are already sending responses in time for the October 2 deadline to Mid Sussex Council, which will draw up the final list of sites after consultation. Details were published recently in the Mid Sussex Times.
A smaller development of 45 houses north of Faulkners Way has already been rejected but now the much larger proposals, which are not from the council, have been put forward.
The land was also included in the Atkins study, a feasibility document looking at possible land use in the Burgess Hill area.
The Atkins study looked at the period 2016-2026, but the latest proposals by developers would bring the building forward about ten years to 2006 if accepted because the small-scale housing list covers the period 2006-2016.
Burgess Hill Local History Society Ann Phillips, of Coopers Close, said: "The road will be obliterated. It's something that obviously worries us. I will be contacting the county archaeologist to make sure he is in the picture.
"The other concern is for the small fields and the woods and for the general ambience of the area. Everyone knows the rubbish areas, the old sewage works and the refuse tip, but in the fields nearby the wildlife is fantastic. We are just aghast about it all."
The Friends of Bedelands Farm Nature Reserve has urged its members in a newsletter to send comments quickly to the council. Chairman Roy Ticehurst said: "This will bring forward the development by 10-15 years, so this complete surprise to us needs instant action."