The government wants to build half a million new homes

East Sussex County Council said huge investment is needed in water supply and sewage treatment to prevent severe shortages and regular hosepipe bans.

The government plans to build more than half a million homes in the South East.

The council said it was unacceptable for the government to build homes when the infrastructure was inadequate.

'Knock-on effect'

Matthew Lock, council member for transport and environment, said: "It is unacceptable the government wants all these extra homes when the background infrastructure is totally inadequate, particularly supplies of water.

"Water is the most basic of human needs.

"We are already having difficulties with the current infrastructure needed to provide a good quality of life for the people of East Sussex.

"Where is the extra money, essential to achieve this, going to come from?

"I hope the government are going to think about this.

"The knock-on effect on our residents could have huge implications."

The council said measures to increase the capacity of Bewl Water, the largest open water in the South East, just did not go far enough.