Anger over building plans (From Stroud News and Journal)

Anger over building plans

CELEBRATED Stroud author Laurie Lee would be "turning in his grave" at plans for a 75-home housing estate near the Slad Valley, according to town councillors.

Members were horrified at the application from Woodchester Commercial Investments Ltd to build a giant new development on green fields off Lansdown discussed at a planning applications meeting on Monday night.

"Welcome to urban cramming in Stroud," said Andy Read, chair of Stroud Town Council's planning applications committee.

"This is the worst application I have seen come forward for Stroud in 14 years. It is absolutely ridiculous.

"Poor old Laurie Lee would be turning in his grave."

The planned development is just yards from another proposed 48-home build on the former Express Dairies depot, currently being considered by Ebley Mill.

"This is not approaching it with a sense of vision," added Cllr Chas Townley.

"There is nothing that gives it a sense of community. This is just 75 boxes crammed in." Committee members also noted the pressure that would be placed on the area's already stretched primary schools.

"We have not actually got a local school that is able to serve the development," added Cllr Townley.

The committee drafted a list of almost a dozen objections to the plan and resolved to meet with Stroud District Council planners to voice their concerns.

They decided to hold a public meeting on the issue to give local people a chance to air their views before Ebley Mill decides the issue later this year.

The meeting will be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday, March 2 at the Old Town Hall in the Shambles, Stroud.