CONCERNS over an outline planning application for new housing in the grounds of Britannia Royal Naval College have been voiced by a group of Dartmouth residents.

'Is the Britannia Royal Naval College proposal ruining our heritage?' asks the Coronation Park Committee set up by neighbours Derek Scorer, Sir Dennis Marshall and Brigadier John Constant.

The application, submitted by the Ministry of Defence, shows a row of ten town houses on the plot of land where the now empty sea cadet unit stands on the corner of College Way and Coombe Road. Three others are placed behind.

Also, on land behind Coombe Road, 12 three-storey dwellings, with rows of garages, together with a sewage system including a pumping station, are shown on the submitted plans.

The application has been made prior to the land being sold to raise cash for a new swimming pool complex initiated by the college's commanding officer, Commodore Roy Clare.

Cdre Clare intends to share the pool with the town, which does not have its own indoor pool.

Responding to criticism of the plans, and complaints that the college grounds would be ruined, Cdre Clare said: 'I don't want the view of the college to be impaired either!

'I understand people's concerns, but it is the duty of the MoD to get the best possible price for the land.

'However, we have got to conform to planning law, and no-one is going to roll procedure aside.'

Cdre Clare added that he would be happy to meet anyone with concerns to discuss them.

The Coronation Park Committee is now speaking with other concerned neighbours about the plans, which the committee call 'a bombshell'.

In a statement to the Chronicle the committee says that the continuation of the pleasant appearance of the college and its grounds should override all other considerations.

'The committee feels that the interests of the thousands of tourists who flock to our river, as well as the amenity of residents of Dartmouth, should also be borne in mind,' it went on to say.

Objections to the proposals must be sent to South Hams Council by February 26.