Louise blasted at the public meeting: "Why did we know nothing about this? Why did the council not let us know? We live within half a mile of this site and yet we knew nothing.

"There are so many things to be taken into account here, not least the traffic situation. It is appallingly bad in this area and our road is just one big accident waiting to happen. We certainly don't need more lorries rattling past.

"Given the number of new housing projects in the Manvers area, and the fact that the infrastructure is struggling to cope, it is nonsensical to consider adding to the choked roads", she continued.

"How can the authorities even consider granting planning permission for a project that will bring an increase in traffic to this area? It can't support what it already has!"

Her husband was equally concerned, adding: "We should take this all the way. Would there be mileage in going to Number 10 I wonder?

"We have to fight this, and the higher the level of exposure the better.

"We have had no notice issued to us. All we know has from the South Yorkshire Times -it's simply not good enough!"

The meeting unanimously gave the Times a vote of thanks for our campaign, and locals said they hoped more media organisations would get behind them.