PROTESTERS are fighting plans which they believe will cram hundreds of houses on to the green spaces of Oxmoor. The protests are coming from several quarters. nResidents of The Whaddons and Thongsley are running a letter campaign objecting to plans by the

PROTESTERS are fighting plans which they believe will cram hundreds of houses on to the green spaces of Oxmoor.

The protests are coming from several quarters.

nResidents of The Whaddons and Thongsley are running a letter campaign objecting to plans by the Luminus Group to replace 26 bungalows with 74 flats.

nThe Oxmoor Action Group is fighting a proposal by Huntingdonshire District Council to build (they say) up to 400 houses in the area bordered by Coneygeare Road, Nene Road and Medway Road.

nHuntingdon Civic Society - and others - are continuing to protest angrily about the agreed move of Huntingdonshire Regional College from Oxmoor and replacing it with a large housing development.

People living on The Whaddons and Thongsley have now drawn up a protest letter which is being circulated to residents to sign and send to Luminus.

Spokesman for the residents, Joanne Santillo, who lives in The Whaddons, told The Hunts Post: "We are concerned at the loss of green spaces, the density of the housing and the lack of access and parking.

"At the moment we can park our cars where we can see them and children can play near their homes. The density of the houses being planned is going to create a rat-run for thieves, which is a known problem on this estate."

She added: "A lot of issues have not been addressed. The Government has demanded that so many houses be built by 2010 and local authorities are going ahead and not considering the long-term problems. We do not object to the bungalows being replaced but how can you replace 26 homes with 74?"

The residents' petition letter says the green spaces are needed for children to get exercise.

It adds: "We know that Luminus have allowed for some green areas but they are unsuitably sited next to a main road and near bungalows for elderly and infirm people who will not want to be disturbed by footballs and noise."

Jill Watkin-Taverner chairman of the Oxmoor Action Group said they wanted as many people as possible to attend a consultation meeting on Tuesday, September 9 at The Barnabus Centre on the Oxmoor about proposed development from Coneygear to Nene Road.

Mrs Watkin-Taverner said: "The plan seems to be for about 400 more houses, with no mention of the impact on schools or medical services. We are concerned about the density of the housing and about putting all the churches under one roof."

Richard Meredith chairman of Huntingdon Civic Society - whose family was one of the first to move on to the Oxmoor in 1961 - said the society had "a very strong view" about the "unnecessary" relocation of Huntingdonshire Regional College from Oxmoor to Hinchingbrooke and building homes on the present site.

"What they are saying is that we on the Oxmoor are not good enough to have the college. We have one of the best medical centres outside Hinchingbrooke Hospital, we have a good shopping area being built, open spaces and areas with trees."

A spokesman for Huntingdonshire District Council said: "There are proposals for undeveloped land to the east of Sapley Square between Nene Road and Medway Road, including The Golden Knight pub, Kingdom Hall and Medway Court.

"We are looking at a master plan and a lot of people need to be involved in the consultation, including the local community and various land owners. Consultation is due to start in September."

A statement from Nigel Finney, executive director (Operations) of Luminus said: "We have started consultation with the residents of 26 bungalows in The Whaddons and Thonglsey. All residents have received detailed brochures setting out the background, how the consultation will run, the outlined redevelopment timetable and the support we will give to residents throughout the process.

"We have an opportunity to provide better accommodation and improve the quality of parking and green spaces for residents."

The initial consultation will run until October and it is hoped, subject to a successful planning application, that work will be completed in autumn 2010 onwards.