RESIDENTS in Rye Street, Bishop's Stortford, are banding together to stop a block of flats being built.
Protest group Against Rye Street Development was formed by neighbours Justin Bliss and Geoff Sida.
ARSD objects to Cambs-based developer Douglas and Warner Partnership's proposals to demolish the property at No 100, near the entrance to Grange Paddocks, and build a 13m (40ft) high block of 12 apartments in its place.
The plans have been submitted to planning authority East Herts District Council.
The group claims the flats will ruin the historic character of the area and set an unwelcome precedent for other developers.
Mr Bliss, who has lived in Rye Street for three years, said: "Everyone's against it - it'll be a complete eyesore."
All his neighbours were up in arms over the scheme, he added, and three petitions were already doing the rounds.
The three- or four-storey block of flats would abut directly onto the footpath.
Mr Bliss added: "Rye Street is an historic part of Stortford and has been like this for centuries. We're not against development, but are when it's right in your face.
"It will also set a precedent for other developers and landowners. If it gets planning permission, all the other people who own land here will want to do the same and we'll end up living on a concrete estate."
Campaigners are urging people to show their support by signing petitions and writing letters of objection to EHDC's planning department.
Comments must be submitted to the council by April 3. A decision will be made at a later date.
A spokesman for Douglas and Warner Partnership, which is also the architect for the Atkins and Cripps site in London Road, said the design was of a high quality and being sensitively handled.
"Although a modern development, it will sit comfortably in a road which already has a mix of properties," he added.