A CAMPAIGN group has been launched following proposals to build 419 homes on Green Belt land.

The Save Rural Baldock group started petitioning on Monday against the proposals of the homes being built on 16.7 hectares of farmland north of Salisbury and Bygrave Road, Baldock.

Speaking on behalf of the Save Rural Baldock group, Martin Impey, of Salisbury Road, claimed the area was already congested.

“Development will add to it,” he said.

“The lack of infrastructure this side of town makes the location unviable, and our historic rural market town’s schools and services simply will not cope.”

A consultation event was held two weeks ago at Baldock Community Hall, where members of the public had the chance to see plans and ask questions to planning inspectors from NHDC.

“There was mention of maybe having two junior schools but how will they accommodate the increase at the secondary school,” added Mr Impey, who has lived in the town for 20 years.

“We already struggle to get appointment at doctors’ surgeries and they closed down the police station so how do they propose to police the area?”

Although the first phase of the consultation ends on March 28, Mr Impey said the group would keep on campaigning and getting signatures to present to the council.

For more information on the campaign group visit www.saveruralbaldock.co.uk