OUTRAGED residents are preparing to do battle with Taywood Homes after the company put forward a plan to put a five-storey 'tower block' behind Amersham hospital.

The building company has submitted an application to Chiltern District Council to build 68 flats which would be erected in Whielden Road, Amersham.

Taywood Homes had planned to build the flats to three-storeys a year ago. They were given planning permission for the original scheme, but will have to wait to see if the new proposal is accepted by the council.

Residents say if it goes ahead it will be a blot on the landscape and no improvement to the nurses homes that are already there.

Anthony del Tufo from the Amersham Society said: "It is a disaster. It will be next to a conservation area and green belt land. It is a massive urban development. If it was in London no-one would be surprised but this is a country town.

"We lose one eyesore and gain another."

Councillor Davida Allen (Lib Dem, Amersham Town) said: "The fact of the matter is there is outlying planning already for that number of flats. The layout of them and the dimension is yet to be included in the full application. We will deliberate on the serious concerns for Whielden Street and the different issues."

A spokesman for Taylor Woodrow said: "We are demolishing a five-storey and eight-storey development of old nursing buildings. It will significantly enhance this area of Amersham."