More than 200 people have signed a petition to stop hundreds of homes being built on Green Belt land to the north-west of Great Ashby.

The Comet: Plans to build 360 homes on Green Belt land to the north-west of Great Ashby have been met with dismay from people living in the area.Plans to build 360 homes on Green Belt land to the north-west of Great Ashby have been met with dismay from people living in the area. (Image: Archant)

Developer Croudace Homes is looking to submit a planning application to North Herts District Council for up to 360 homes on land known as Roundwood – behind Mendip Way in Stevenage.

Croudace submitted an application for up to 360 homes on the same site in 2010, but it was never determined by the planning authority.

A public meeting held by the developer at Great Ashby Community Centre on Tuesday failed to allay fears that the current proposed development will put too much strain on the infrastructure and that parking problems in the area will be exacerbated.

More than 230 people have signed a petition against the development, with a copy held at Great Ashby Community Centre. People have been voicing their dismay on social media, with petition organiser Ronel Pieterse labelling the plans ‘absolutely rubbish’.

She said: “It’s lazy planning and no thought put into it – no schools, doctors or other facilities on site, not even a local shop.

“All the cars are to be funnelled through Haybluff Drive and Mendip Way. Totally ludicrous. The roads just can’t cope with it.

“The school in this area is oversubscribed and GP services are already overstretched.”

Ken Wing, of Kenmare Close in Great Ashby, added: “I am concerned about the loss of valuable Green Belt land, and that this land suffers serious flooding every winter. Any house purchaser will be buying serious problems, including subsidence.

“Stevenage is full. There are not enough school places, insufficient GPs and the Lister Hospital is at breaking point, plus Great Ashby Way cannot cope with more traffic.”

Great Ashby Community Council has accepted the need for more houses, but says it is seriously concerned about the effect this proposal will have on the existing infrastructure.

A spokesman for Croudace said: “The public exhibition was very well attended and many people provided feedback, which we will be considering further as we prepare our new planning application.

“We are aware that road access arrangements, parking and schools provision are the most frequently cited concerns people have. We are looking to identify the most appropriate solutions to these issues, working with both Herts County Council and North Herts District Council.”