residents say they will take Government planners to the High Court if they allow a housing development to go ahead.

Dominic Drive Residents' Association is con- cerned about plans to build 44 new homes on the former Montbelle School site in Dominic Drive, New Eltham.

The application, which proposes a mix of flats and houses for the 1.25-acre plot, was rejected by Greenwich Council's planning committee on February 15 because it would have been out of character with the surrounding area.

But developer Laing Homes has appealed the council's decision which now means the Government's Planning Inspectorate will make the final call sometime in August.

Residents' association chairman Graham Doughty said: "We've had discussions among ourselves and we are ready to fight this all the way.

"If the planning inspectorate rules in favour of the plans, then we will definitely consider taking the case to the High Court.

"Obviously this will come at a large cost but we are hoping more and more residents will join our campaign and we can stand united."

Councillors Chris Taylor and John Hills are also backing the residents' calls to stop the plans being approved in their current form.

Cllr Hills said: "The issue here is the type of development and the fact it will look out of character.

"I also have concerns about the number of extra cars a development on this scale would bring to the area.

"It is clear the developer is just trying to make as much money as possible by cramming in as many dwellings as the London Plan will allow."

Laing Homes previously said its plans conform to the Unitary Development Plan guidelines in relation to housing density and the development would "improve the urban fabric of the area".

l People interested in joining the Dominic Drive Residents' Association's campaign should call Mr Doughty on 07931 370423.