Fearful homeowners in Stanground have already made clear by letter, an internet petition and through lobbying of their councillors their opposition to Gazeley's proposals for the Magna Park Peterborough development of about seven giant warehouses and a rail interchange.

But Gazeley directors say they are determined to do all they can to persuade residents that the hub, which will cover four million square feet between Park Farm and the Nuneaton to Felixstowe railway line and create 5,400 jobs, will be good for the city.

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Planning director Don Morgan said: "We have absolutely nothing to hide. The residents have asked a number of questions and we want to answer them all."

The company is in the process of printing a four-page letter that will be delivered to 6,000 homes towards the end of next month and which will give its response to objections raised.

That letter will be followed up by briefing sessions where residents will get a chance to talk to Gazeley representatives about the proposed development.

Two months ago, Gazeley sent out a two-page letter to residents explaining the proposals after news of the planned development was revealed by The Evening Telegraph.

Mr Morgan said: "We won't win every- one over but we feel this is the right and proper thing to do to give residents as much information as possible."

Concerns raised so far by residents include the spectre of extra traffic on the roads, the likelihood of flooding as the development will be built on the flood plain, disturbing wildlife habitats and the impact a large number of low skilled jobs will have on the city's economy.

Mr Morgan said an important feature of the development will be the use of a 150 metre to 200 metre strip of land between residents' homes and the development as a wet- land park with tree planting and landscaping plus access for the public. The warehouses will be built to high environmental friendly standards and the rail link is expected to remove about 75,000 lorries from the roads each year.

The company is also committed to ensuring the dualling of part of the Stanground bypass and is looking at possible links with the planned Peterborough university.

An outline planning application for the development is expected to be submitted to Peterborough City Council by the end of the year and it could take at least five years to complete the hub.

Chairman of the anti-Magna Par action group Stand Up For Stan- ground, Chris Harper, said: "People still have a lot of concerns about these proposals, particularly about increased traffic, light pollution and noise. We are encouraging people to find out more about the plans. We may not be able to stop it but perhaps we can negotiate to reduce the impact."

Stanground Central's councillor Irene Walsh said: "These proposals should not be part of Peterborough's growth agenda. As a city we can do better. We need something better than a park of warehouses to raise the standards of the city. Let's go for something with a more mixed skills base."