NEARLY 500 people have signed a petition objecting to the plans for a 144-home estate next to Crewe's busiest roundabout.

An action group formed to protest about the scheme proposed by David Wilson Homes and the Duchy of Lancaster on land off Sydney Road, has gathered support among residents in Sydney and neighbouring areas, including Crewe Green and Haslington.

There are fears the scheme could cause traffic mayhem on the busy Crewe Green roundabout.

The objectors say the new houses will be packed too densely into the 4.52 hectare site and there will be a loss of green space as well as potential air pollution and late-night noise from HGV traffic.

Members of the Facebook group 'Green Spaces 4 Crewe Green' have started an online petition at change.org which has already collected over 400 signatures.

Organiser Geraldine Lee-Treweek said: "The proposed development would destroy our only green space in this part of Crewe.

"We need to remind family, friends and neighbours that if they like walking and wildlife, but also hate dirty tricks in planning and development, it is in their interests to stand against the proposals on this land in Crewe Green.

"Planning processes work for those, like the Duchy of Lancaster and David Wilson Homes, who are wealthy and powerful. It is right people's voices and concerns ae heard and it is not okay that residents are treated as if they must put up with anything."

Nearly 100 residents have commented on the plans on Cheshire East Council's online planning portal.

Among those a householder in Shakespeare Drive said: "We have had an overload of residential estates and infilling in the Sydney Road/Crewe Green area over the past 25 years. Slowly our green areas are being eroded."

A resident of Primrose Avenue in Haslington stated: "Building 148 houses on this space not only adds to an already oversubscribed infrastructure, but will have a significant impact on local facilities, such as schools and medical services."

While a householder in Sydney Road commented: "We have had to put up with the Crewe Green Roundabout build and then the Sydney Road Bridge works and we have had enough of all this disruption. I am a passionate wildlife lover and this development could seriously affect the local wildlife which is suffering enough as it is."

The plans go to Cheshire East's strategic planning board meeting on December 9 and can be viewed here.

The action group Green Spaces 4 Crewe Green can be found here.