CLAIMS that Stoke Climsland village cannot cope with any further growth of the Duchy College were this week made by parish councillors, who have opposed plans for a 64-bedroom accommodation block.

The college, which started off as a small agricultural college for 40 students 22 years ago, is now home to almost 100 residential students — 450 people study there on a daily basis.

Following the building of a food technology block which opened last year, plans have now been submitted for a two storey building for residential accomm-odation and recreational use.

Parish councillor Philip Barriball said: 'It started out as a college in the countryside but now the site is being overdeveloped and it's the local people who have to live with it.

'We have supported the college over the last 21 years, but Stoke Climsland is a country village and the campus of this college is beginning to look like a town.

'Somebody has got to make a stand against it and the parish council is the starting point.'

Mr Barriball said more students were being earmarked for Duchy College as a result of Seale Hayne College's closure.

'Plymouth University is trying to push more courses in Stoke Climsland but we do not think it should be developed anymore,' he said.

Chairman of the parish council Michael Cox said there were concerns about the extra traffic generated by the college's growth.

Cllr Cox said: 'There are people living in the village who are not happy about the way the college is growing larger and larger.

'It can't just keep on going like it has been. When you look across from Kit Hill the college looks larger than the whole village.'

Mr Cox said the parish council was aware from previous discussions with the college that this planning application was going to be submitted, and he was pleased it contained more recreational space as this was something he had been pushing for.

'I think the major concern is when is it all going to stop,' he said, adding that the council was trying to organise a public meeting so villagers could have their say.

District councillor for Stoke Climsland, Neil Burden, said he looked forward to a full presentation of the plans being made to the public, so the community was aware of what was being proposed.

'I do think improved recreational facilities for students on site is a plus, and the college has had a positive economic effect on the village, but it really is about how big we can allow Duchy College to grow before it damages the community,' he said.

Principal of the Duchy College Andrew Counsell said the establishment was one of the primary land-based colleges in the country and like any business it was growing in line with demand from the industry and from students.

'I think there will be an ongoing development of the college but we are just about as big as we can go in terms of the site — there is no more room,' he said.

Mr Counsell said the aim of the planning application was to provide halls of residence for first-year students: 'We lose up to 20 students a year because we do not have the appropriate residences,' he said.

'There are also in the region of 250 students living in managed houses off the campus, but we want to accommodate them on site, so we get more of a campus feel.'

Mr Counsell said he was surprised by the parish council's response, given that the planning application was discussed with members 18 months ago and amended in line with their comments.

He said there had always been concerns from the community about traffic speed, but all users of the college were encouraged to turn left out of the entrance and use the new road, avoiding the village, to access the main A388.

The college employed around 150 people, the majority of whom were local, he said.