CAMPAIGNERS have issued an urgent appeal to supporters to object to fresh plans for 112 houses on Baxter’s Field in the Slad Valley.

Gladman, the firm behind the controversial proposal to develop the fields off Summer Street, has submitted a second planning application after its first was unanimously rejected by district councillors.

The Cheshire-based developer’s original application for 140 homes attracted a record number of objections but campaigners are warning that those expressions of opposition will not count towards the revised scheme, which proposes 28 fewer homes.

Members of SVAG have therefore launched a new campaign to encourage Stroud residents to register their objections to Gladman’s latest planning application.

“It is a mad situation. We had over 1,500 objections last time, which I think is a record for Stroud, but none of those will count towards the new scheme,” said Phil Coysh, a spokesman for SVAG.

“It is very frustrating because we think we will be lucky to get 1,000 objections this time as we only have four weeks to get them in and it will be difficult with people focused on Christmas.”

Gladman has already challenged the decision by SDC’s development control committee to refuse its initial planning application and an appeal has been set down for May.

The firm’s latest application will be examined by SDC’s planning officers in January.

If, as is likely, it is also rejected it could then be considered alongside Gladman’s original planning application at the appeal proceedings in May, should the firm seek to challenge the decision of officers once again.

SVAG’s chairman, Andy Dickinson, said: “The developer doesn’t care about local people – or whether these houses are in the right place. All Gladman care about is making a massive profit by concreting over our best green countryside.”

But a spokesman for Gladman has previously said that the project is a 'sustainable development’ which would help meet the district’s housing needs.

To object to the plans see SVAG’s website – www.savesladvalley.co.uk – for objection letters or write to Stroud District Planning Office, Ebley Mill, Westward Rd, Stroud GL5 4UB quoting ref S.13.2451/OUT. Objectors must give their full name and address.