RESIDENTS along Lynn Road, Windmill Gardens, Walton Road, Windsor Drive, Hunchback Lane and Nursery Drive are among those oppose to the Fenmen s new stadium. They claim it will: n Increase traffic n Allow an overflow of parking into their neighbourhoods

RESIDENTS along Lynn Road, Windmill Gardens, Walton Road, Windsor Drive, Hunchback Lane and Nursery Drive are among those oppose to the Fenmen's new stadium.

They claim it will:

n Increase traffic

n Allow an overflow of parking into their neighbourhoods

n Create noise pollution

n Impact on people's privacy

Their campaign has been led by Walton Road couple Phil and Rita Perry, who started the petition. They moved to Wisbech after having enough of living close to a football ground for 26 years.

"We came to the 'country' to retire and get away from all that and the problems it causes," said Mrs Perry.

"The impact of a site this size, with 300 car parking spaces, floodlighting and a sports and social club, will have a considerable impact on the local area."

Sally Reader, who lives next door to the site, said: "Several years ago, it was proposed that this land would be built on for housing and this was refused because the land was grade one agricultural land.

"But they can just come in and build a football ground on that land, which will greatly devalue my property."

Mrs Reader fears her home will suffer from car pollution, with the car park planned next to her house, and her garden will be overlooked.

Some Windmill Gardens residents believe the proposals will go ahead no matter how loudly they protest.

"I think it is cut and dried," said Dawn Burden, while Marion Wesson believes it will "go ahead, whether we object or not".

The plans do have some supporters, with one couple saying the club's move to Lynn Road would be "wonderful" for the town.

John Salmon, of Windmill Gardens, a keen football fan, said: "Everything is happening in Cromwell Road and this end of town is left out. This is an ideal place.

"Wisbech needs a new football ground. What must visiting teams think when they come to Fenland Park?

"The only thing I would ask for is a wider footpath. The present one along Lynn Road is quite narrow. I would love to go and watch but, if the path is not made wider, I would have to use the cycle path because I am in a wheelchair."

His wife Sheila said: "The town needs a new stadium. The current one is a bit hopeless and there is no need to redevelop that. This is going to help them a great deal.

"I do not think it will worry us on the estate. You are bound to get noise, and there is bound to be more traffic, but that's life."

'It will hit house value'

A COUPLE who live next door to the proposed site for Wisbech Town's new stadium fear their home, worth more than £500,000, will be seriously devalued.

Michael and Shirley Lambert are just two of 64 people who have signed a petition against the stadium project. "It will be terrible," said Mrs Lambert. "What else can you say?"

Mr and Mrs Lambert, who live at Little Eastfield Barn, Lynn Road, are separated from the 8.8-acre site by a small ditch. They run their own nursery business from home and have spent more than three years converting their home from a 300-year-old barn.

They were made to ensure that the work carried out did not spoil the countryside. Mrs Lambert said: "So are they going to build a 300-year-old football pitch?