Signs of protest (From Stroud News and Journal)

Signs of protest

CAMPAIGNERS opposed to the development of Rooksmoor Mill have erected banners demanding 'no high rise' in their latest effort to stop the scheme going ahead.

Members of the Rooksmoor Residents' Association, set up in September to fight the development, have hung giant signs on walls at the Old Fleece Inn, which faces the derelict mill in Woodchester.

But now officials at Stroud District Council have written to activist Nick Beardsley - who owns the Old Fleece - demanding the signs are removed.

"They say the signs are unauthorised and must come down," he said.

"But they are on my property and are a way of raising awareness for our campaign and bringing this to people's attention.

"I'm not taking them down - I'll wait until they cart me off to jail.

"There are currently only 30 houses in Rooksmoor.

"We're all in favour of some kind of development for the mill but this will more than double the number of homes in the village."

Developer Tony Cooper originally applied to convert the mill into 66 residential units, a restaurant, gym and several shops, which would take the current single-storey building to four-and-a-half floors.

The scheme has now been revised by removing two storeys, taking the restaurant out from the plans and reducing the number of dwellings to between 61 and 63.

Stone will also now be used rather than brick.

"We will try as much as we can to appease the concerns of local residents," said Mr Cooper.

However, Rooksmoor residents say the development would swamp their village and would not be in keeping with nearby buildings, many of which are listed.