ANGRY residents have formed an action group to protest against the prospect of a new housing development on their doorstep. Residents in the Burns Road area of Royston have formed the North Royston Action Group in response to plans by Fairview Homes to bu

ANGRY residents have formed an action group to protest against the prospect of a new housing development on their doorstep.

Residents in the Burns Road area of Royston have formed the North Royston Action Group in response to plans by Fairview Homes to build 250 dwellings on two plots of land adjacent to Burns Road and Coombelands.

They will be holding a public meeting next Monday to publicise what they are calling their "Campaign against Illogical Development", and distributed leaflets advertising the event at Roysia School's fireworks display on Friday.

Jayne Bratton, one of the founders of the group, said: "We oppose the development for a number of reasons.

"All works traffic for the largest of the development sites would be travelling down Burns Road, the longest cul-de-sac in Europe, and through the Coombelands Estate, adding to existing problems with traffic congestion, especially at the school drop off and pick up times and at the end of the working day.

"And in its own flood report, Fairview Homes states that, due to its planned development, parts of Royston will be at 'moderate' risk of sewer flooding.

"This planned development affects everyone in Royston - if the Burns Road or Coombelands estates flood then there is likely to be chaos on the local roads, just as there was a few years ago when Burns Road flooded."

The plans for the new development are set to be discussed by North Herts district council's planning committee in the next few weeks.

Mrs Bratton said there had already been a lot of interest in being part of the group, and hopes this will grow after Monday's meeting at Coombes Community Centre.

She said: "When we had our initial gathering, I thought it would just be me and a couple of neighbours, but we had more than 20 people crowded into my sitting room.

"We want this group to be a voice of the community in the future on all issues. This campaign is just the start."

Anyone who is interested in becoming part of the group can go along to the meeting, which is being held at Coombes Community Centre next Monday. The meeting begins at 8.15pm.

If you can't make the meeting, you can contact the group on 01763 247797, or email team@roystonag.co.uk