PLANS to demolish the old Royal Mail sorting office in Heanor and build 18 new flats on the site have met with opposition from nearby residents.
A petition signed by 31 people and supported by Heanor and Loscoe Town Council is to be presented to the borough council prior to the application being considered.
People living nearby fear the proposed three-storey block of flats could intrude into their privacy and are worried about what impact increased levels of traffic would have on Mansfield Road.
Georgina Parish, a Church Street resident who organised the petition, said: "They want to make the building another two storeys higher than it already is, which to me is quite an invasion of not only my privacy but that of my neighbours. The level of their windows will look straight into our windows.
"Also there will be another 20 cars which is quite a lot. It is already difficult to get out of my drive onto the main road as it is. They want to put the bin storage right next to my back door and a car park at the end of my garden which won't be good for my children or very safe."
Heanor and Loscoe Town Council's Paul Jones, who is backing the campaign, said: "There are 20 car parking spaces in the proposal and it faces onto Mansfield Road, which is already the busiest road in Heanor, so it is a concern.
"I have asked for it to be considered by the planning board and a site visit to be made and my position is supported by the town council."
Royal Mail announced the site was to close in April 2007 and pressed ahead with plans despite a strike by workers. They have since sold it to Robert Dunn, of Woodlinkin, who wants to develop the flats.
Mr Dunn said: "Our plan with the old sorting office was always to acquire the site and retain it as an investment property. We have had two agents marketing the site since January 2008 and from that time to present date have not found anyone with a suitable use to take it on a lease.
"Obviously with the current economic climate we need to do something, we have a considerable investment in the site already.
"We believe our proposals will provide some quality housing, adequate parking and hopefully it will provide some benefits in terms of housing for the area."
The application will be considered by Amber Valley Borough Council in January.
