People in Oswestry have hit out at proposals to build a block of flats which they claim could devalue their properties.

Now the disgruntled residents living close to the proposed site in Gitten Street, Oswestry, have formed an action group in a bid to have the plans thrown out.

The proposal, put forward by Parke Farm, is to develop a three-storey block of flats.

But some residents in Caer Road and Lloyd Street fear their privacy and quality of life would be put at risk if planning officials give the scheme the go-ahead.

And members of the action group are now urging local people to support them in the fight against the application. They have called a public meeting next week to rally support.

Action group chairman Mark Carpenter, of Caer Road, said in a letter to residents and local officials that the development will be too close to their homes.

He added: “We most strongly oppose the building of a three-storey block of flats. They would be so close to our properties and overlook our rear gardens.”

Mr Carpenter said a petition has already been submitted to the planning officer at Oswestry Borough Council.

The public meeting is planned for January 11 at 2pm at the proposed site on Gittin Street.

“We now insist on having a public meeting on the site in Gitten Street,” said Mr Carpenter. “We advise as many planning officials and borough councillors to attend to listen to our complaints over the devaluing of our properties, loss of privacy and quality of life this proposed development would cause.”

But the applicant said the development, which would see 34 flats, would enable local householders wanting a smaller home to do so while remaining in the town.

It said this in turn would release family-sized houses into the community and also help older people to move nearer to younger relatives already living in the area.

The applicant added that the block of flats would also fit in with the character of the surrounding properties and said the building had been designed to minimise the impact of the development on neighbouring properties.

By Suzanne Roberts