A GROUP of Whitminster residents have expressed concerns about plans for 130 new homes which could see the number of houses in their village increase by a third.

Residents have been made aware of two developments planned for the rural village near Quedgeley, which are just a few hundred yards away from each other.

The larger of the two proposals is from the developer Pegasus Group for 100 homes in a green field adjacent to Whitminster Primary School in School Lane.

Plans for another 30 homes on Parklands Farm, which is land behind School Lane, were due to be submitted to Stroud District Council today, Wednesday, by Hannaby Planning Solutions on behalf of the land owners Newbridge Construction.

Whitminster resident Harriet McGill explained that the villagers object to the developments for three main reasons.

“Firstly another 100 plus dwellings will increase the number of houses in the village by a third, essentially changing Whitminster from a small rural village and community into another housing estate,” said Mrs McGill.

“There are also serious concerns about the sustainability of the development.

“The village school currently has just more than 100 students and 130 homes have the potential to double the number of children needing a place at the school.

“Residents already have grave concerns about the volume and speed of traffic passing through the village which would only significantly worsen with more houses, not to mention an increased number of cars trying to get parking.

“It would just be an accident waiting to happen.”

However, the issue for residents is not just the number of homes being proposed but also where they are going to be built.

According to Mrs McGill, the land on which the developers are planning to build is important for many protected breeds of birds.

A spokesman for Hannaby Planning Solicitors, on behalf of the Parlands Farm proposal, said: “Whilst residents may not like the principle of more houses we have tried to propose something positive.”

The SNJ contacted Pegasus Group for a comment but they were unable to respond in time. They did get in touch about a consultation taking place at Whitminster Inn from 3pm to 7.30pm today, Wednesday.