RESIDENTS are prepared for a long battle to ensure a development on the edge of Royston does not spoil the area. The residents crowded into a meeting of Royston Town Council s planning committee to object to a new plan for the LDS (Ling Dynamics) site in

RESIDENTS are prepared for a long battle to ensure a development on the edge of Royston does not spoil the area.

The residents crowded into a meeting of Royston Town Council's planning committee to object to a new plan for the LDS (Ling Dynamics) site in Baldock Road.

Spokesman Marella Buckley told councillors on Monday evening that residents were prepared for a long campaign.

And they threatened to take their protests to the Local Government Ombudsman should current plans for the site be approved.

The residents from Heath Avenue and Chilcourt are objecting to a scheme for the site for a total of 65 homes.

Originally, the planning application had been submitted for 82 homes on the site which is on the edge of Therfield Heath.

Plans now being considered are for 49 one and two-bedroom flats, eight affordable houses and eight affordable flats.

They have been submitted by developers Stephen Howard and the McCarthey and Stone.

Speaking at the meeting, Ms Buckley accused the developers of attempting to "exhaust the residents' resistance".

She claimed the developers were using a "bargaining tactic" which could appear to be seen as "making concessions".

But she was adamant that residents would oppose any scheme not appropriate to the site.

And she pointed out that the protest group believed the current scheme contravened planning guidelines.

She said that any scheme not suitable for the site would see the residents present a case to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Ms Buckley said that there should be a design brief for the site which would enhance the area.

She added residents were concerned that the current scheme would see an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area along with noise problems.

Committee chairman Cllr Bill Prime said he was "mystified" that the developers had submitted a "slightly amended" scheme.

Cllr Lindsay Davidson described the scheme as "ghastly" and "inappropriate".

And Cllr Philip Mayne said the plans represented an "horrific development".

The committee decided that North Herts District Council should be told the plans had to be rejected as an over-development on the site.

The district council's Royston area committee will decide whether the scheme should be accepted.

Meanwhile, Ling Dynamics has said it needs to move its plant from Baldock Road and is looking in the area for an alternative site.