CAMPAIGNERS are fighting to protect a Winchester beauty spot from development they fear could change the character of the area.

They say Weeke Pond is being put at risk by plans to build new homes in gardens at Westley Close, fearing that they will reduce the light and threaten wildlife-herons, frogs and dragonflies.

Warden, Maurice Charrett, and members of the Weeke Pond Improvement Scheme are among 100 people objecting to the scheme.

"The pond depends on the sunlight it receives from the open area and any three or two-storey block would deprive the pond of life-giving light," he said.

The campaigners are also worried that the proposed seven new homes-three-storey and two-storey-could alter the water table, causing flooding, and increase traffic in Dean Lane and Stockbridge Road.

Mr Charrett said: "There have already been three applications in, perhaps, the last 12 months and this is the fourth. Twice, when the plans have been rejected, developers have appealed unsuccessfully."

Antony Skinner, of the City of Winchester Trust, said: "It would be totally intrusive among the historical buildings already here."

Miles Ashley, MD of the developers, Heritage Property Group, said the buildings would be at least 17 metres from the pond and denied that they would cause additional shadowing, adding that the density of 33 dwellings per hectare was at the lower end of the Government's recommended figures.

"This scheme will make a very positive contribution to Westley Close," he said.

The Weeke Pond Improvement Scheme was set up in 1995 and Mr Charrett said the city council had made "significant contributions" to the £14,000 which he and fellow volunteers raised-and now he says the authority has a duty to help again.

"The council has a moral obligation to make sure this stretch of road isn't ruined by the development. The council can't destroy its own pond," he added.