A GROUP of residents have started a petition in a bid to stop developers felling woodland to build homes. Residents living in Chells Manor in Stevenage want to stop Leach Homes cutting down trees in front of the Grade II listed manor house, between Chells

A GROUP of residents have started a petition in a bid to stop developers felling woodland to build homes.

Residents living in Chells Manor in Stevenage want to stop Leach Homes cutting down trees in front of the Grade II listed manor house, between Chells Lane and Hunters Close, and are looking for support to make a temporary Tree Preservation Order permanent.

They have delivered flyers to every home in Chells Manor, outlining the situation and asking residents for their support, and they have already secured more than 100 petition signatures.

Ian James, of Hunters Close, is spokesman for the group and said: "The land was intentionally left as woodland by Leach Homes when the area was developed in 1987, for the benefit of the whole community. Along with the other surrounding woodland, it provides a wonderful rural feel and an attractive backdrop for the manor house and pond."

Mr James said the woodland attracts a wealth of wildlife, including deer, badgers and bats, and is home to both jays and green and great spotted woodpeckers.

He added: "This whole amenity is a major contributor to the wellbeing and enjoyment of both young and old, who come to relax by the pond to feed the ducks and moorhens and to enjoy the quiet ambience and wildlife in the woods."

Leach Homes have not yet submitted a planning application for a development on the site, and the campaigning residents have managed to obtain a 28-day temporary Tree Preservation Order from Stevenage Borough Council (SBC). They are now looking for people to support a move to make this order permanent. "It can only be made permanent with your support," said Mr James. "We want to make the local people aware of what's going on. To fell these trees is really going to have a dreadful impact and it's such a shame. It is difficult to find such rural havens in a busy town like Stevenage, and those we have we should treasure and keep at all costs."

He added: "Time is very short as we have to make our comments to the council's planning department by February 23. Leach Homes has already objected to the order."

Leach Homes declined to comment.

To lodge your comments with SBC, write to Head of Planning and Regeneration, Daneshill House, Danestrete, Stevenage, SG1 1HN.

To sign the petition, visit http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/CHELLS/

If you would like to help with the campaign, or wish to be kept informed of progress, email chellsmanorprotection@hotmail.com