RESIDENTS have launched a campaign to fight plans for new barracks at Europe's biggest Army base.

More than 200 people have signed a petition against the accommodation for more than a thousand single soldiers off Plumer Road, in Catterick Garrison.

It would include leisure facilities, car parking and a new security fence.

Residents say the fence would prevent access to woodland and playing fields popular with dog walkers and children.

They also say it would mean more soldiers walking home through their estate after a night out.

Jackie Harris, 57, from Bedfordshire Close, said: "It's the Army's land to do what they want with, but we feel there's other areas within the garrison to use which wouldn't impact on civilians.

"People are genuinely worried they will lose the fields and woodland behind a high wire fence with floodlights."

Julie Dewa, 57, of Warwick Close, who collected signatures for the petition, added: "The main concern is the loss of the open space.

"People walk their dogs on the fields and children play there -it's a lovely area.

"We also anticipate extra noise and disturbance from the barracks."

Residents on the Leadmill estate have written to Richmond MP William Hague asking for help.

They have also appealed to district councillors and distributed leaflets outlining their concerns to more than 200 houses.

Councillor Paul Cullen is proposing that steps are taken to avoid soldiers walking through residential areas on the way home from pubs and clubs in the town centre.

This could include soldiers entering the new barracks via Ava Road, rather than Waithwith Road.

District councillors and residents will attend a site meeting on Thursday at 10am.

Richmondshire District Council's planning committee will then meet to discuss the planning application on September 6.

A decision is likely to be made at the committee's October meeting.

Nobody from the Army was available for comment.