Seven hundred angry protesters turned out in driving rain to ram home the message that they do not want 1,500 new homes built on their doorsteps.

The huge crowd rallied in Hurstpierpoint to battle proposals they say could sound the death knell for village life.

Villagers were spurred into action after 12-year-old Callum McHale challenged residents at a public meeting to put people power to work to prevent their village being swallowed up into a 'supertown'.

The proposals for 1,500 new homes north of Hurstpierpoint are part of Mid Sussex District Council's draft Core Strategy.

The district has to absorb about 15,000 new houses between 2012 and 2026, and the draft Core Strategy lists 13 sites currently being considered for development.

Sunday's march in Hurstpierpoint was held to draw attention to today's deadline for the council's public consultation on the plans.

Another group of protesters gathered together last week to fight proposals to put 1,000 of those houses on green fields to the south of Haywards Heath and has canvassed local views (see page 2).

Haywards Heath Town Council met on Monday night and discussed the draft Core Strategy, but has asked the district council to allow it more time to make an official response.

The town council paid £6,000 to consultants DMH Stallard to draw up a report on the plans, but some councillors are unhappy with the report's findings and do not wish it to be the town council's sole submission to the consultation.

Burgess Hill could bear the brunt of a large percentage of new housing and Burgess Hill Town Council's strategic planning working group met yesterday (Wednesday) to discuss and finalise its response.

Meanwhile, Hurstpierpoint residents actress Greta Scacchi and football legend Jimmy Hill were among the marchers who walked from Marchants Road to South Avenue Recreation Ground on Sunday.

Speakers included MP Nick Herbert, author Bryony Hill, parish chairman John Lowman and councillors Christopher Maidment and Susanna Kemp.

After the march, 12-year-old Callum said: "It was really cool how many people came out in the rain, both young and old. I feel we really made a point about saving our village. I'm really happy."

Christopher Maidment said: "This sends a very loud and clear message to Mid Sussex District Council that the northern Hurst (west of Burgess Hill) Core Strategy option does not tick any of the boxes in terms of sustainability."

For a full report see this week's Mid Sussex Times. Sign up below to add your comments to this story.