A CAMPAIGN to stop a pub being demolished and turned into new homes is gathering pace as over 100 people signed a petition.

Developers want to transform the Plough in Little Marlow Road into six new flats but neighbours are fighting it because of fears over parking chaos.

Plans for seven new apartments were originally lodged, but then withdrawn, following objections and the revised scheme put forward in recent weeks.

Marlow The Plough Ltd has said it has done all it can to address concerns.

But this has failed to convince householders in surrounding roads.

About 112 people had signed a petition calling for planners to reject the plan at the end of last week.

A statement from petition organisers Green Verges Estate Neighbourhood Watch Group read: "The parking is already a nightmare, people are so fed up. Many workers from the town centre come and park down here.

"There has been gridlock up on the corner several times and it's dangerous at rush hour around there.

"There have been people parking on residents' drives, they are so desperate to try to find somewhere to park. There isn't anywhere to park and you feel sorry for them.

"Two stories of flats would be fine, there would be adequate parking.

"But we don't want a three storey block of flats there with inadequate parking. They are bound to have friends and neighbours and where will the cars go? It's bound to go on the green verges estate."

Marlow Town Council is not opposing the scheme and there has been at least one letter of support from residents.

The Plough Marlow Ltd has told the Free Press it worked hard to improve the scheme taking into account all comments made on first application.

It said in a statement: "The new application is a quality design that aspires to meet the needs of all.

"The revised building is of smaller scale in keeping with local area and offers additional parking and amenity benefits."

The company decided it could no longer function as a pub, with fierce competition from supermarkets on alcohol sales a key reason for its demise. The site has been blighted by anti-social behaviour and rising costs were also blamed.

A decision by planning authority Wycombe District Council is expected before October.