RESIDENTS have condemned plans to develop the Ling Dynamics site in Royston. They say housing development proposals for the site in Baldock Road were inappropriate". Their views were expressed during a meeting of Royston Town Council on Monday evening. T

RESIDENTS have condemned plans to develop the Ling Dynamics site in Royston. They say housing development proposals for the site in Baldock Road were "inappropriate". Their views were expressed during a meeting of Royston Town Council on Monday evening. The Heath Avenue and Chilcourt Residents Association has been set up to oppose the plans which will see two separate housing developments on the site once the Ling Dynamics complex is demolished. Residents spokesman Pete Myring told town councillors: "We are firmly opposed to this proposal." He said it was a high density development inappropriate for the site. "The site should be developed for housing, but we would like to see a sympathetic development," he said. One scheme is from developers Stephen Howard Homes for 65 one and two-bedroom flats and 22 affordable homes. The second application from McCarthy and Stone is for a block of 63 sheltered apartments. Mr Myring criticised the plans for the effect he believed they would have on the nearby Therfield Heath and the visual impact. He said, too, that parking would increase in the surrounding area and extra homes would become a burden on resources. He added: "We have identified 23 infringements of the District Local Plan." During a meeting later of the planning committee, Cllr Rod Kennedy said: "I believe these plans are totally unacceptable and we shouldn't under any circumstances give this our support. "If carried through, they will have serious long-term implications for the west side of Royston." Cllr Kennedy continued that with such a prime location in Royston the plans should be of a higher standard. "You could get some stunning buildings on that site, that would increase the reputation Royston currently enjoys. This development is nothing - the plans are awful." After the meeting Mr Myring said he was "pleasantly surprised" by the town council's attitude. "We've got a lot of support that we didn't really expect." He said the residents hope to give a presentation to North Herts District Council's Royston area committee when it considers the plans. Mr Myring added: "I think we will have to get some real work done on this.