Up to 40 residents are petitioning Government against an apartment complex designed to provide affordable housing for students returning from overseas.

Residents of St. Augustine Road, Pembroke, sent the petition to the Planning Department, stating: "We oppose the size and scale of the complex which is not in keeping with the neighbourhood. Such scale and planned use of the complex will create additional traffic and the ancillary problems such as parking, noise, garbage, etc."

The application by Building Blocks Construction originally described the proposed development as a 'short stay hostel', but agents shy Architecture yesterday confirmed it was to be a condominium block.

Architect Simon Hodgson said: "We have advised Planning that it's no longer to be a hostel, but a 35-unit residential building.

The intent is to facilitate affordable accommodation for young professional Bermudians returning home from college. It's a dense, urban-type design and the intent is that the Bermuda Housing Corporation will become involved."

It is thought BHC will underwrite the property. Building Blocks Construction boss and limousine operator David Durham did not wish to comment yesterday.

The 5,940 square foot development is proposed for a plot of shrubland at 81 St. Augustine Road. Residents however, say any additional housing in the area will only lead to more traffic congestion, noise pollution and anti-social behaviour. A petition attracted 38 signatures, while other neighbours have written to the Planning Department expressing concern the condominium block could devalue properties.

Merlene Minors said the development would only lead to "disturbance and irritation" and "devaluation of properties due to mushrooming of BHC (Bermuda Housing Corporation) units and misconduct of BHC units' tenants."

In her letter she said: "It is not acceptable that landscape of this quality should be used to site a conspicuous development. Residents are already subjected to noise pollution in this densely populated neighbourhood, and this would magnify the problem."

Ms Minors added: "Quality of life will be adversely affected."

She said: "I have had to endure 'Miami Vice'-style Police raids, blatant drug dealing, violence, noise pollution and seeing the bottom of St. Augustine Road cordoned off, causing traffic delays.

"To further compound the social ills in this community there's the temporarily-housed residents of the Pembroke Rest Home. Government is creating a 'back of town' ghetto. Therefore I implore members of the Planning Board to reject the proposed development."

Another resident, Cyril Richardson, said: "The extra traffic alone will cause havoc in the neighbourhood as well as create more anti-social behaviour among the disreputable individuals already living in the vicinity."

Keita Wilson added: "This multi-dwelling development will only add to an already crowded neighbourhood."

She said traffic congestion was particularly bad where St. Augustine Road met Parsons Road and Curving Avenue.