The gas holder looming over Leylands Road and the surrounding area has been disused for three years and is one of 17 sites in Mid Sussex now earmarked for development.

The report by a government-appointed inspector on Mid Sussex District Council's small-scale housing plans has effectively given the thumbs up to 1,386 new homes, mainly on greenfield sites.

The report said the gas holder site could be developed by 2009, after extensive decontamination work, at which time 58 houses could be built there.

Resident Lisa Smith, who lives in the shadow of the rusting structure, was delighted at the prospect. She said: "It's just a horrendous ugly metal eyesore and if I could go out there right now and start taking it down myself I'd quite happily do so.

"It would be so good if it does come down. I've lived in this house three years and it's an absolute nightmare. It blacks out so much light; I'd love to get windows put in on that side of the house but who'd want to look out the window and see that?"

She added: "It's very dangerous. When we first moved here my son was straight up it and I was terrified. It's totally rotten and I've lost count of how many children I've seen climbing it."

She also said local children climb onto the structure to use the roof as a trampoline. "If it was up and working then it has its uses but it's got no purpose and it's the ugliest thing to have next to your home, and it devalues property," she said.

The inspector's report into the council's small-scale housing plans, released on Monday November 19, is binding and must now be adopted by the council.

The inspector added four new locations to those already proposed by Mid Sussex District Council including one 120-home development at a field next to Newton Road in Lindfield that would bring houses right to the edge of a nature reserve, and which has shocked the local community.

Michael Anstey, chairman of Lindfield Preservation Society, said: "This is a matter of grave concern and we will certainly be opposing any planning applications at Newton Road."

Lindfield parish councillor Steve Willcox said: "Unfortunately you're not allowed to argue the fact that this is the thin end of the wedge for a larger development, but that's the reality of it. It is the 350 to 400 homes that will follow afterwards that will completely blow us apart."

The inspector also added in a 42-home site north west of Chatfield Road in Cuckfield, and 98 homes south of Grange Road in Crawley Down.
In total, the report opens the way for 1,110 homes on 11 greenfield locations, with a further 276 on six redeveloped sites. Of those houses, Burgess Hill will take 644, Hassocks will take 190, and 65 in Haywards Heath.

Cllr Susanna Kemp, district council's cabinet member for planning and environment, said: "Pressure for new homes is so intense that planning applications for these sites are likely to be underway shortly. They will, of course, be assessed in the usual way by our planning committees."