RESIDENTS have formed an action group to fight plans for a £10 million extension to Clifton Park Hospital on York’s outskirts.

People living near the proposed building – aimed at plugging a hole in mental health care for women patients – claim it would be “too big, too ugly, too high and too close”.

They also have concerns about the loss of mature trees, privacy and amenity and extra traffic. More than 100 have signed a petition opposing the scheme and a banner has been erected on one house.

The Press has reported previously how NHS North Yorkshire and York wanted to build the extension alongside existing facilities, providing 22 bedrooms, car and cycle parking, a service road, café and small gym. It said it would mean female patients could avoid having to travel elsewhere for psychiatric care.

Wayne Dixon, of Fylingdales Avenue, York, said he and a group of 16 neighbours who strongly objected had formed an action group, and more than 40 letters of objection had been written.

He said the proposed scale, location and design would detract from the open character of the site, which was within one of York’s green belt “wedges.”

He claimed several mature trees would be cut down, despite a Tree Preservation Order, and there would be increased traffic noise, danger and parking problems. He claimed the two-storey building would “peer” into residential gardens and bedrooms, and would not blend into either existing Victorian buildings or more recent residential properties, and would “look a blot on the landscape”.

A spokeswoman for NHS North Yorkshire and York said it had worked closely with statutory agencies, including the council, as well as residents and parish councillors, to minimise any impact on neighbours and respond to concerns. These agencies were satisfied with car parking arrangements and the building would be sited beyond minimum distances the council normally applied to ensure no loss of privacy.