FURIOUS residents have launched a petition to block two 18-storey tower blocks being built in the heart of a community.

The Charlotte Place Campaign Group wants to collect 1,000 signatures to fight two separate applications allowing a combined total of 1,500 students to move into the area.

Nazrul Chaudhery, chairman of the group, said: “The community has started a petition and we urge people to sign this. We plan to gather a thousand signatures to show the council and developers we mean business . We want to show that no longer can people take us for granted as we have had enough.”

Liberty Living has already submitted plans to Southampton City Council to double the number of student flats available to 854 rooms Developers Bouygues UK has expressed an interest develop Charlotte Place, 60 to 64 St Mary’s Place, with the remainder of the rooms. It has not submitted a planning application yet.

A public meeting last week saw 150 people attend to ask questions to representatives of the developers and the council about the proposals.

Community leaders were also in attendance.

Anyone wishing to sign the petition can do so by contacting David Roath of the Charlotte Place Campaign Group on 07765 299813.