BARNE Barton residents believe more local services are needed alongside the development of new housing in the area.

More than 100 homes are set to be built at Kinterbury Square, offering affordable housing for sale and rent.

Some believe a better infrastructure of doctors surgeries, dentists and youth projects are desperately needed and are angry the services are not in place.

"I feel sick about it," said Melv Chislett, chairman of the Sutton Association of Barne Barton Residents.

"This is good and bad — the idea of building new houses is good but we need the infrastructure."

Developer Devon and Cornwall Housing Association has committed £295,011 under a Section 106 agreement to Plymouth City Council, split between Kinterbury Square and another nearby development, which they hope will be used to boost services in the Barne Barton area.

"We wanted the money to be ringfenced for Barne Barton but this was not allowed," said Matt Ward, development manager of the housing association.

"Our contribution is for a range of things from education to transport and children's services. Because Barne Barton is recognised as an area that needs investment some of the money we're hoping should come back to the area."

Mr Chislett believes every single penny should be ploughed back into Barne Barton.

"We could have put a youth club here with that money," he said.

"I feel very sorry for the children because they have nowhere to go. And we've only got two doctors surgeries and no dentists."

The 66-year-old added many people are excited about the sustainable housing, with the first homes due for completion by the spring.

The development has come together thanks to a partnership between Devon and Cornwall Housing Association, Plymouth City Council, Midas Homes, Architects Lacey, Hickie Caley and employers agent Randall & Simmonds.

The majority of land was bought by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) from the Ministry of Defence. The HCA has also provided £5 million grant funding to enable the scheme to go ahead.

The foundation stone of the development was laid yesterday in a move described as a regeneration boost.

"What we are doing here with schemes like this is to help the real process of regeneration," said Simon Sanger-Anderson, chairman of Devon and Cornwall Housing Association.

A Plymouth City Council spokesman said Devon and Cornwall Housing Association gave Plymouth City Council £139,617 under the section 106 agreement.

"When this development was approved the legislation did not allow for the money to be ring fenced for a specific infrastructure project," he said. "We understand the concerns of residents but affordable housing is also a much-needed community benefit and money from a Section 106 agreements does support services across the city."

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