ALMOST every Camelsdale resident living within a mile of a controversial planned housing development in the village is against it, according to campaigners.

Objectors to the outline application, for 18 houses on land to the rear of Camelsdale Road and Sturt Avenue, are now Òcautiously optimisticÓ they can prevent the building from taking place.

Local resident Janice Hopwood is a member of the action group set up to oppose the development, and is Òvery pleasedÓ with the local response to the issue.

ÒThe support has been absolutely overwhelming, almost 100 per cent within a one-mile radius,Ó she said.

Several public meetings have been held to oppose the developerÕs plans, and when Fernhurst Parish Council held a planning meeting on the proposal more than 25 local people turned up.

ÒSeventy-five individual letters of objections are something they cannot ignore,Ó Mrs Hopwood said. ÒWhen you look at a map of all the people who have written, only one or two missed out.Ó

The letters have been submitted to Chichester District Council, and highlight concerns over increased traffic and dangerous access, and state that the development could damage the rural character of the village.

Recommendations to refuse on the grounds of increased flood risk have also been given by the Environment Agency, the River Wey Trust and Thames Water. Haslemere Town and Fernhurst Parish Councils have opposed the proposal.

A letter from the Environment Agency objects because the developer has failed to submit any flood risk assessment with the application.

ÒAs submitted, the proposed development may increase the flood risk to people and property on the site and the surrounding area,Ó it states.

Mrs Hopwood believes that this statement greatly strengthens their case.

ÒWe know that the land drainage engineers for Waverley and Chichester are all concerned,Ó Mrs Hopwood said. ÒThames Water, which own the pumping station at Sturt Avenue, has also said it is not happy.Ó

The application will be decided at a meeting of ChichesterÕs north area development control committee.