PROTESTERS fighting the controversial development of Cock Alley have won more than 300 pledges of support, including backing from St Albans MP Kerry Pollard, in their battle against the loss of the ancient pathway.

They say plans to build six houses and 12 car parking spaces on the land behind Kings Road would pile more pressure on an area already known for its traffic problems and destroy part of the conservation area still safe for children and the elderly to use.

Campaigners also claim the application could breach the Local District Plan's aim of preserving designated local listed building status and several mature trees would have to be destroyed.

Kings Road Action and Cock Alley Conservation Groups' spokesman Heather Godwin said Mr Pollard had backed a similar successful campaign in the area nine years ago, and many of that battle's core issues remained the same today.

She said: 'This is a 'difficult' site with huge access problems and no one has come up with any good reasons such as environmental enhancement or the provision of much-needed affordable housing.

'We believe the plan is to sell Bank House on Fishpool Street with planning permission, probably for around £2 million and build six further houses in the £300,000 price bracket.'

Mr Pollard pledged his support for the group's objections along with district councillor Clare Ellis, as they received the Save Our Streets petition against the loss forever of the valuable green space.

Mr Pollard said: 'What we need is to develop brownfield sites in St Albans, like the station car park, where we can build affordable houses for key workers with proper access and facilities.

'The price of this type of urban in-filling of a difficult site in the conservation area is too high.'

The application is likely to be considered by St Albans district councillors in September.