A PETITION with more than 1,100 signatures is to be sent to Huntingdonshire District Council opposing plans to extend Huntingdon s Riverside car park. Valerie Ramsay who lives opposite the car park collected the signatures in just five hours, and believes

A PETITION with more than 1,100 signatures is to be sent to Huntingdonshire District Council opposing plans to extend Huntingdon's Riverside car park.

Valerie Ramsay who lives opposite the car park collected the signatures in just five hours, and believes the planning application will spoil the character of the town.

Mrs Ramsay said: "I'm very angry. I just can't believe the council would even consider taking away what little green space is left in Huntingdon to turn into a car park.

"I understand there is a need for more parking spaces in the town, but why on the Riverside field? The field is well used by football clubs and walkers and an extension of the car park will spoil the character of our town.

"If this field is destroyed, it will be taking away part of the local community's heritage that can never be replaced."

The extension will provide an additional 105 car parking spaces.

Richard Preston, head of service operations at Huntingdon District Council, said: "Car parks in Huntingdon are nearing capacity and are full at busy times on Friday and Saturday nights.

"In the longer term we hope to be able to provide a multi-storey car park in the town but we can't do that at the moment as we do not have the land. A consultation exercise concerning the extension of Riverside car park took place in 2004."

Subject to planning permission being granted, work is expected to start on the extension of the car park in the autumn.

People will be able to have their say on the car park extension at the meeting of Huntingdon Town Council tomorrow (Thursday) at 7pm in Commemoration Hall, Huntingdon.

INFORMATION: People have until July 26 to have their say by visiting www.planning.huntsdc.gov.uk and searching application number 0602186FUL, or by sending a letter to Pathfinder House, St Mary's Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN.