WHAT is it that Gladman Ltd do not understand about the word “No’?

Over the last four years, Stroud District Council has repeatedly refused applications for both large and small scale (ie Trojan Horse) development on Baxter’s Fields.

Each time, local people have objected in record numbers.

The Planning Inspectorate turned down not one but two concurrent Gladman appeals in August 2014. Yet here they are again, wasting taxpayers’ money - money needed to provide services for local people - lodging an appeal against the district council’s decision to refuse their latest planning application for the same site.

Somewhere along the line, Mr Gladman and Co have gained the impression that the word “no” just doesn’t apply to them and their plans for our community.

It is time to take a stand again against this now yearly harassment and make no mistake, it is harassment.

These houses are not needed. These houses are not wanted.

If we allow Gladman a foothold on Baxter’s Fields (witness the current plans, which will – if approved – create a second access point for vehicles) they will slowly but surely turn the Stroud end of Slad Valley into an identikit housing estate. How can you help?

We’ve been here before, we know the arguments.

lVisit the SDC website Website and lodge your complaint (ref. S.15/2549/OUT).

lLobby Neil Carmichael, MP, who has spoken out against Gladman’s previous applications.

lWrite to the Planning Inspectorate, which has already ruled that despite Gladman using a better calculator, SDC’s Local Plan and land supply figures are sound.

lDemand that Gladman be banned from making new applications on Baxter’s Fields for at least five years, ie. the lifetime of the current Local Plan.

Stroud District Council will be bound by the Planning Inspector’s decision. So should Gladman be.

No should mean no.

Shawn Jarrett

Stroud