CONCERNS have been raised about a potential development of almost 100 new homes in Royston. Plans have been submitted by to North Herts District Council to build a potential 98 dwellings on land adjacent to Thackeray Close and Coombelands. Owners of the l

CONCERNS have been raised about a potential development of almost 100 new homes in Royston.

Plans have been submitted by to North Herts District Council to build a potential 98 dwellings on land adjacent to Thackeray Close and Coombelands.

Owners of the land, Fairview homes, say the new houses will be "a mixture of two and three storey residential units."

But councillors have expressed worries about access to the site, and the amount of houses being built.

District councillor Robert Inwood, who lives in Thackeray Close, said: "I wouldn't be able to support the application in its current state, and will be speaking to the developers to make my concerns clear.

"The density of the development is worrying, and there is the issue of the extra traffic it would bring to Burns Road and Coombelands.

"Burns Road has two schools nearby, and it would be chock-a-block with cars."

Cllr Inwood believes a solution for Coombelands would be to link the new development to the existing A10/A505 roundabout.

"Hopefully highways can look into that possibility. I would like to see the developers hold a public exhibition to show local people what they are planning," he said.

Cllr Liz Beardwell said: "It is going to cause a lot of problems of traffic and parking. You only have to look at the parking situation in Thackeray Close at present to see that the area is already crowded.

"If you build 100 houses you are likely to have at least 100 cars, and they have got to go somewhere."

Cllrs Inwood and Beardwell were due to meet district council planning officer Richard Tiffin yesterday (Wednesday) to discuss the scheme.

The plans can be viewed on the district council website, and consultation is now open. A decision is not expected to be made until December.