Angry residents are fighting plans for a residential development on an old school site in Exeter.
Developers Strongvox want to build 48 homes at the old Exwick Middle School that has been empty since it closed in 2008.
But residents say that, although they accept development is inevitable, the initial proposal they were shown last week would have a negative impact on the area.
They say it would involve knocking down an estimated 100 trees that are subject to a Tree Preservation Order and argued the local infrastructure would not be able to cope.
The developers, who are yet to exchange contracts, say they would take resident's views on board where they could.
But around 50 residents attended a pre-planning meeting to showcase their opposition when details of the scheme were unveiled.
And they have vowed to do everything they can to ensure it does not get the go-ahead in its current form.
Resident Ray Henning, who has helped to organise the opposition, said: "We accept there will residential development on the site but it has to be in keeping with the surrounding location and of an appropriate density.
"These plans are an over-development of the site. There are also two three storey block of flats proposed, which is not appropriate to the area.
"This is not a NIMBY situation. We know there are going to be homes. But it needs to be a reasonable development in keeping with the area that the infrastructure can sustain."
Under the early proposal, the plans show 80 car parking spaces and Mr Henning said there was also concern about the extra traffic and congestion that could result.
"We want them to reduce the plans and there is no-way this development should be allowed to go through as planned," he added.
"There are around 100 trees that are covered by a TPO on the site, including many mature ones and others that were planted by the schoolchildren themselves.
"They need to revise it and come up with a sensible scheme if they want it to go ahead."
Alan Mundy, 73, has lived in the area with his wife Jennifer for the last eight years and is also opposed to the plans..
He said: "All we have seen is more building and less facilities. We have lost two supermarkets, the local post office, we have lost a petrol station and the civil service club. It is a lot to lose.
"Yet what they are propping is to build a new village up here, 50 more houses - 80-100 more cars all travel up and down a very narrow bit of road. It has got to stop. It will be hellish.
"What we could do with are some facilities for people that already live here. We moved here for a quiet life but what we are going to get is a hellhole. That may sound extreme but that is the way I feel."
Robert Alford, director of Strongvox said they had just carrying out exploratory work and would be listening to the concerns..
"We hope to be in a contractual position with the owners shortly and are getting ready to make a planning application," he said..
"But we always consult with local residents before we do and these will be accommodated and we will listen to them as we go through the planning process..
"We obviously employ qualified architects and design consultants but also carry out consultation to take into account local views.
"We will not be taking any trees down willy-nilly. The mature trees on the northern and western boundary will be staying. Obviously some trees will have to go and a planning decision takes precedent over a TPO. That will form part of the decision making process by the city council.
"We are not in the business of upsetting local residents and where we can accommodate their wishes, we will."
