MORE than 2,000 people have signed a petition against controversial proposals to build a student village on green belt in Chester.
Yvonne Jones, chairman of Poets Corner Residents Association in Blacon, and fellow campaigners led the way in presenting the petition to Chester West and Chester (CWaC).
So far 2,100 residents from Blacon and the wider city have put their names to the petition in opposition to a proposed student development on green land dividing Blacon and Mollington.
After presenting the petition Blacon resident Ms Jones said: “The petition shows the strength of opposition to the village plan.
“Now we just have to wait and see what follows the consultation process with Bell Developments, but we are absolutely determined to do all we can to stop our precious green belt being infringed upon.”
Meanwhile, managers of Bell Developments Ltd, who are behind the proposed student village overlooking Blacon are putting the finishing touches to a draft plan.
The University of Chester has submitted a planning application to CWaC for a ‘mini’ campus on site at their Parkgate Road premises.
The development will include sports facilities and a recreational area. If approved, construction would start this summer with completion targeted by the start of the 2012-13 academic year.
If the plans go ahead, some university-owned housing stock could be released back into the local market in the community around the main campus, which would help to redress the balance in the local community, the university has said.