A petition opposing plans to build 70 houses on the derelict East Berkshire College site has been started by a group of concerned residents.

The action group say they welcome the redevelopment of the Boyn Hill site which has become a crumbling eyesore. But there are fears that the plans are inappropriate in a conservation area and will lead to over development and parking issues.

Claire Stretton, who lives opposite the site and is involved in the petition, said: “I believe this site has the only grade one listed building in the borough and is in a conservation area, so to develop it in this way is totally inappropriate.”

Volunteers will be distributing flyers and collecting signatures in the Boyn Hill area over the next few weeks.

Dandara Ventures Ltd bought the land for £5.5million in July last year and has now applied for permission to build 40 houses and a five-storey tower block with 30 flats. The existing listed Boyn Hill House on the site would be converted into three three-bed houses. 

Residents have until March 30 to submit their comments to the Royal Borough before it makes a decision.