RESIDENTS are gearing up to fight the ambitious £50 million Abbey Stadium project.

The move comes after residents of Abbey Park, Birmingham Road and Dagnell End Road were shown the latest plans and given the chance to ask questions and raise concerns.

But many residents were left frustrated at not having their questions answered and are set to form a campaign group to oppose the scheme.

A planning application for the project, which will include a snowdome, ice rink and cinema, was due to be registered with Redditch Council yesterday.

Hither Green Residents Association chairman Maggie Davies said there were many reasons why they were against the project.

She said the level of traffic, noise and light pollution were of great concern and residents felt the snowdome would be an eyesore.

She described as 'horrendous' the plan to put a pub next to the crematorium, adding the scheme had changed considerably since it was first mooted.

Tom Wainwright, who lives on Birmingham Road, said he appreciated facilities needed to be provided for youngsters but thought there were too many projects included in the scheme.