RESIDENTS of a quiet St Annes cul-de-sac who fear their local green is to become a car park have attended a meeting of a housing organisation to voice their concerns.

Homeowners on Preesall Close were invited to the meeting at the Civil Service Social Club, Premium Bonds building, Shepherd Road on Thursday October 11.

Spokesmen for the residents said they are worried that a planning application by New Fylde Housing for a temporary car park at the end of their cul-de-sac and temporary offices nearby will cause congestion.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "The area where we live is mainly elderly people. It's a beautiful area, quiet and peaceful. This is going to affect quite a lot of people in the area.

"I know that New Fylde Housing staff have to have somewhere to park -- I appreciate that. But you can foresee an accident waiting to happen."

Campaigners against the application have circulated a letter around the neighbourhood, which states: "All this, the like of which has never, ever been seen in this area which is totally residential, will, without doubt, cause a great deal of inconvenience, upheaval and stress to all the residents."

And it voiced a worry that the temporary car park and office would end up as a permanent arrangement.

Stuart Hampson, support services manager for New Fylde Housing, confirmed the temporary car park would be for staff and some visitors to the office. But he said people could come to the meeting to discuss the application.

He said he was not aware of residents' feedback for or against the application, but he understood people could also be worried about the office attracting an "undesirable element" among its visitors.

"I think a lot of people will have concerns that this is an application for an office premises to be put in a residential area," he said. "It's important that we explain why we have made the application to people and give people the opportunity to express their views. We are doing it in open forum so that people do have that opportunity."