Opponents say they do not want houses built on land like this

Anti-development body The Three Counties Group (3CG) used the 1972 Local Government Act to hold a vote among East Grinstead residents on whether the houses should be built.

The referendum was held on Thursday and 96% of those who voted opposed the scheme.

But the result does not mean the houses will not be built as the vote is not legally binding, just a show of public opinion.

'Turnout was good'

A total of 3,619 people placed their vote - 3,485 against the scheme and just 134 in favour of it.

It meant there was a 19.8% turnout, compared with about 30% in recent council elections, but with the polls only open from 1600-2100 BST, the council said the turnout was good.

Members of 3CG called for a referendum at a meeting in May.

The Local Government Act's Parish Meeting Rules provide the little-known right for a public vote to be held on any subject if enough people call for it, meaning Mid Sussex District Council was legally bound to comply.

Nearly one in five East Grinstead people eligible to vote did so

The district council told the BBC earlier this week it was happy to conduct a poll and said it would be an interesting exercise.

Costs had to be covered by East Grinstead Town Council and have been estimated at �9,000.

Dr Michael Vickers of 3CG said: "People are very very concerned about this housing issue.

"This is the time to bring this forward, before matters are pursued further."

The development would see the new homes built on greenfield sites around the town and is included in the draft of West Sussex County Council's structure plan.

It had been backed by the local chamber of commerce who say young or poorly-paid people in the West Sussex town would have benefited from new low-cost housing.

The result - 96% against the plans and 4% in favour - has no legal impact.

But it will be considered as part of the consultation process being undertaken by West Sussex County Council as it makes modifications to its structure plan.