A TOTAL of 1,500 objections have been registered against plans to build 112 houses in the Slad Valley after campaigners submitted a petition to Stroud District Council containing an additional 350 signatures.

Protesters say the number of people objecting is now close to the record-breaking level of opposition which the original application for 140 homes on Baxter’s Field attracted last year.

The amended scheme for 28 fewer properties is due to be considered by the district council next week and, if refused, is likely to go to appeal at the end of May, alongside the appeal for the original application.

Slad Valley Action Group (SVAG), which was set-up to fight the plans, handed the petition to SDC’s head of planning Phill Skill on Thursday, January 23.

Objections have so far been received from Stroud Town Council, Painswick Parish Council, Bisley-with-Lippiatt Parish Council, English Heritage, Natural England, the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England and Neil Carmichael MP, as well as from landscape architects, environment specialists and housing professionals.

“Nobody apart the landowner and the developer wants this scheme to be agreed,” said Phil Coysh, of SVAG.

“From all sides of the political divide and all shades of environmental concern, the community has spoken with one loud voice.

“Now we need the local decision makers and the Government-appointed planning inspector to support democracy, listen to well-argued case for rejection and turn this cynical proposal aside.”