RESIDENTS in Nythe have raised concerns about a new housing estate. A public meeting allowed residents near the planned Oakley Park development on the St Joseph's School site, in Coleview, to discuss their concerns with builder George Wimpey.

Residents' worries ranged from the increase in traffic on local roads to fears of flooding, as reported in the Evening Advertiser earlier this year.

Brian Osborne wants to see improvements on the roads to cope with the extra traffic and also thinks the bus stop on the Piccadilly roundabout should be moved.

"There is going to be a minimum of 200 to 280 extra cars using the roads," he said. "And currently the location of the bus stop on the roundabout is not helpful and the council should consider moving it if the development goes ahead."

Peter Legg, who has lived in his Whelford Road home for 37 years, was particularly concerned about flooding.

"I was told that the water would just run off into the River Cole," he said. "But I remember last year when we had those storms the river was higher than I had ever seen it before and that was without all these new buildings.

"What's going to happen once they are built? I can see many more problems."

In January, the Evening Advertiser reported that insurance companies said people who bought houses at Oakley Park would struggle to get insurance because of concerns over flooding but George Wimpey says the area is not a flood plain.

Mr Legg also expressed concerns at plans to build up to nine blocks of two or three-storey flats, saying he did not did think they would fit in with the area.

Residents were also anxious that the plans showed an entrance to the estate on Nythe Road when they had been told there would not be.

Ria Stevenson, spokeswoman for the housing developer, said: "George Wimpey asked local residents to complete written questionnaires.

"A large number of responses have been received and these are currently being collated and will be reviewed during a team meeting with architects tomorrow."

Anthony Osborne