HUNDREDS of people have signed an online petition speaking out against the creation of a huge sports and technology park near Eastington.

It comes after plans for a £100million development dubbed Eco Park were unveiled by Ecotricity founder Dale Vince.

Located on either side of the A419 near Junction 13 on the M5, the development includes a new football stadium for Forest Green Rovers (FGR).

The other half of the 100-acre site would include a green technology business park.

Mr Vince said the plans would make Stroud a centre of excellence for sport in Gloucestershire and provide up to 4000 jobs.

But residents living in Eastington and Stonehouse are adamant this would ruin the beauty of their small rural communities.

Sarah Baker, who started the petition, said the plans would create life changing decisions for people living in the area.

“Eastington is one of the very few rural villages left,” she said.

“Ecotricity’s plans are to build a football stadium and various other developments on the perfectly green fields.

“Not only would this add to congestion in the area, noise pollution and an unsightly feature in such a beautiful place.”

The petition has gathered more than 340 signatures since it was launched last week.

Eastington resident Elizabeth Mills argued the “monstrosity” would mean a huge increase in traffic and congestion to the village.

“It will have a knock on effect, not only to the environment and to village life, but will add chaos to the already busy exit roads around J13,” she said.

Nigel Baker, who has lived in the area for 24 years, said the development would “destroy” the countryside around his home.

He attacked Mr Vince for failing to having the “common courtesy” to contact the affected home owners around Eastington.

Responding to the petition an Ecotricity spokesperson said: “We are at the beginning of the consultation process.

“We will be conducting both statutory stakeholder and public consultations during August and September, which will include public drop-in events in Stroud, Forest Green and Eastington.

“This consultation process is all about informing people about our initial concept, getting feedback, and gathering opinion to help ensure that all issues and potential impacts are taken into consideration.”

FGR’s current home at The New Lawn stadium in Nailsworth would be turned into affordable low carbon homes.