Green fields under threat (From Stroud News and Journal)

Green fields under threat

MORE than 250 houses look set to be built on green fields around Stroud following controversial amendments to the district's local plan.

Key amendments to the vital planning document, published in a giant 700-page report, suggest spreading 500 homes across the district before 2011.

Stroud looks set become a housing hotspot as three separate sites are earmarked for development on the fringes of the town, with a further 48-home site in Brimscombe.

After revealing the recommendations on Friday, Stroud District Council officers said they expected some controversy but said there was sound reasoning behind the choice of sites.

"When you start selecting housing sites you always get some controversy," said planning strategy manager Peter Gilbert. "I would be surprised if there isn't some fuss.

"Part of our strategy is to keep housing as close to the town centre as possible. One of the big sites was on the edge of Stonehouse, next to the motorway - they have lost their case and the inspector has accepted ours."

The changes, which also include doubling a development in Chestnut Park, Kingswood from 25 to 50 homes, include:

- 105 homes on Grange Fields, Babrook, Stroud - 50 homes on Wades Farm, Slad Road, Stroud - 50 homes on Kilminster Farm, Bisley Old Road, Stroud - 48 homes on land off Brimscombe Lane, Brimscombe

Once the local plan is finalised, at the earliest in September 2005, it will set out planning policy at Ebley Mill until 2011. Members of the public have a chance to comment on the plans in the six-week consultation period in summer 2005.

The inspector's report also contains suggestions for revised settlement boundaries in villages like Eastcombe, King's Stanley and Arlingham.

It also sets out measures for protecting the countryside and providing 'wildlife corridors' to safeguard rare species.