PROPOSALS to develop a site in a residential area would cause wholesale destruction , says a protest group. Angry residents in Green Drift, Royston, spelled-out opposition to the scheme to members of Royston Town Council s planning committee on Monday ev

PROPOSALS to develop a site in a residential area would cause "wholesale destruction", says a protest group.

Angry residents in Green Drift, Royston, spelled-out opposition to the scheme to members of Royston Town Council's planning committee on Monday evening.

They packed the committee room at Royston Town Hall in a demonstration of strength against the proposal.

Speaking for the group, Caroline Coates, of Green Drift, said that approval of the scheme would set a precedent and begin to see the "destruction of the character of Royston".

Developers Croudace has submitted a planning application to develop a site at 16-20 Green Drift. The scheme would see the development of 14 dwellings with six garages and 35 parking spaces.

Ms Coates described the proposed design of the site as "fanciful".

She said residents were concerned about the impact on the immediate environment by "concreting over a green space" and see an increase in traffic in the area.

In the past, she said, just one large house in Green Drift has been demolished when the site was used for the development of Sadlers Place.

"That one development should not be a precedent for the wholesale destruction of the road's character," she said.

Residents were indignant over a statement from the developer in its design brief that the scheme was making "efficient use of large wasteful plots" in Green Drift.

"On the one hand Green Drift is portrayed as large wasteful plots and on the other is said to be typified by the houses proposed.

"The developer can't have it both ways," she said.

Cllr Rod Kennedy told the meeting that he was "disturbed" by the planning application.

He said the developer should "go back to the drawing board" and create a scheme which would "minimise the damage".

He added that although the site would eventually be developed it had to be done at a "sustainable level".

Cllr Robert Smith described the scheme as "a gross over-development."

And Cllr Paul Grimes said the scheme would create a "characterless concrete conurbation".

The committee objected to the scheme as it was an over-development and out of keeping with the area.

There was concern, too, about an increase in traffic in the area.

The decision over the scheme will come when North Herts District Council's Royston area committee discuss the plans.