CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents to make their views known on plans to build flats and houses in an historic town centre. Hitchin Forum wants people to get in touch with local councillors to register opposition to proposals to build 132 flats and 16 house

CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents to make their views known on plans to build flats and houses in an historic town centre.

Hitchin Forum wants people to get in touch with local councillors to register opposition to proposals to build 132 flats and 16 houses in Brookers Yard and Suzuki and Peter Fish premises off Paynes Park.

The buildings would be two, three and four-storey and the forum believes that this is too high and would mean "views of significant town landmarks will be lost from a wide area".

It also believes that the design of the development is repetitive and not appropriate for the conservation area which covers the town centre, and that the density is too high.

The plans will be discussed at the meeting of North Hertfordshire District Council's Hitchin committee next Tuesday (July 4).

The forum wants residents to contact councillors before the meeting to ask them to reject the plans.

It is also keen for residents to attend the meeting and the Town Talk session which precedes it.

Ellie Clarke, secretary of Hitchin Forum, said: "We just find it really worrying that they think this can sit comfortably in the conservation area.

"It's just wrong in every way imaginable.

"Please go along and hear what councillors have to say, with the question 'are they representing our views?'.

"Passing this application would be very wrong for the town.

"It does not take into account the character of the town or the scale of the town."

The Hitchin committee meeting will take place at Benslow Music Trust in Benslow Lane at 7.30pm. Town Talk will start at 6.30pm, at the same venue.