MORE than 200 people supported an exhibition being staged as part of a campaign to protect the attractiveness of their neighbourhood.

People living in the Oram's Arbour, Fulflood and Chilbolton Avenue areas staged the event to ask locals what they like about where they live. The information from the public consultation, held in St Paul's Hall on Friday and Saturday, will be used to draw up a neighbourhood design statement.

One of the organisers, Tim Curran, of Clifton Road, Oram's Arbour, said: "Planners and developers will have to take account of the statement. It gives added protection.

"The statements come from the bottom up and do a lot for local residents. They get to know their own areas, take a pride in them and appreciate them more.

"We don't want to stop development. People need somewhere to live. Any development needs good architecture."

Richard Baker, of Fordington Avenue, Fulflood, said the area had real variety from the Victorian part to the almost semi-rural area at the northern end. He said: "It is important to highlight the variety so there is not too much ubiquitous development."

Michael Newby, chairman of the statement's steering group, is battling against infill development at Chilbolton Avenue, where some 200 extra dwellings have been proposed. He said: "This statement will increase our voice. It is giving residents the opportunity to say what they want from their local area and what is important to them."

The city council has hired consultants to help draw up a specific design statement for Chilbolton Avenue. A meeting with residents is due on March 8.