HUNDREDS more people have joined a campaign to save their picturesque views from being destroyed by huge warehouses.

Protesters are making a determined bid to keep the value and tranquility of their country homes by demanding a review of a massive development planned for Basford East railway sidings.

They know the scheme will go ahead because the land, given access by the Shavington Bypass, is earmarked for employment and will create up to 1,000 jobs.

But they hope to ease the pain of the development by restricting the height of the buildings and making those which will be seen from their gardens less like 'ugly boxes'.

Their protest has rumbled on since September, when Prologis unveiled plans for warehousing and offices on the East sidings.

It took a turn on Monday, when 1,100 letters of protest were handed into Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council.

They join 1,300 letters already lodged in October protesting against the Basford East plan and one for Basford West sidings, where Taylor Woodrow wants to build a distribution base employing up to 2,000 people.

Protest group spokeswoman Alison Tipping said: 'Prologis intends to erect extremely large, high units, one of which could be the equivalent in floor area of four football pitches.

'They will be clearly visible from considerable distances as they will be on a flat, greenfield site.

'They will also be located close to housing in Weston, Shavington and Basford.

'That is why so many people are up in arms. The protest takes in people from those villages as well as Hough, Gresty, Wychwood Park, Wistaston and Fourways.

'We are not opposed to the development, but wish to see more mixed-use buildings which have architecturally attractive features.

'After all, many residents will have to see them from their gardens and on a major gateway into the area they should give the right impression.'

Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council planning officer Paul An-cell said it could be some time before any decision is made.

He added: 'These are very complicated, detailed applications and we must first prepare a development guideline for companies wishing to build on the site.

'These guidelines will have to be agreed by the council board in December.

'There has been considerable interest and concern about the sidings and we will take all sides into account. A decision is not likely to be made until the new year.'