Martin Snr sees red... Martin Jnr sees green

Vocal green campaigner Chris Martin has been embarrassed by his father, who wants to build 160 houses on a protected environmental site.

The Coldplay rocker, who is expecting his first child with his Hollywood star wife Gwyneth Paltrow, has used his fame to highlight social and environmental issues, but his dad has created controversy in his home town of Exeter, England with his building plans.

Locals are so incensed at Anthony Martin's application to build the houses on a protected 'green field' site they have successfully blocked the move - however, the persistent Martin Snr is now going to the British High Court to try and push through the construction.

Source: TeenMusicA firm co-owned by rock star Chris Martin's father is going to the High Court in a bid to push through controversial plans for 160 new homes in Exeter. Landowner ADP &E Farmers has been trying to develop a 6.9-hectare greenfield site off Topsham Road for more than 40 years.

But its applications have been turned down by Exeter City Council planners and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on environmental grounds.

Now it has emerged that the Coldplay frontman's father, Anthony Martin, is one of the driving forces behind the development.

Ironically Mr Martin, a city magistrate, is also a former chairman of the governors at the West of England School for Young People With Little or No Sight - one of the main objectors to the proposal.

The school fears an increase in traffic from the development would disrupt the education of its students. The housing scheme would also involve using the school's private road for access.

Other objectors include environmentalists who fear for the cirl bunting, a rare bird which is reputed to live in Ludwell Valley Park, near to the proposed development.

Residents were outraged to hear the decision of the landowner to appeal against the refusal by the ODPM.

Douglas and Janet Sims, from nearby Tollards Road, submitted a protest petition of 250 names during an inquiry into the application last year.

Mr Sims said: "We are very disappointed that they are taking this matter further.

"Residents were so glad when it was dismissed by the Secretary of State. This is disheartening news."

Jill Barnes, also from Tollards Road, added: "It's bad news - especially for the school as some of their children are really quite disabled.

"It will also be horrendous for the traffic along Topsham Road."

Chris, who last summer played cricket at the 50th birthday celebrations of the Countess Weir Cricket Club, for whom he played regularly as a teenager, has no connection with his father's business.

Source: This Is Cornwall