A consultation is to be held over a controversial development near Slimbridge.

Wisloe Green garden village could see 1,500 houses built between the village and the M5.

The development is part of Stroud District Council's plan to meet a government target of 12,800 more homes by 2040.

Residents and councillors have previously expressed concerns about the plans.

The project is being led by landowners Gloucestershire County Council and locally-based national education charity The Ernest Cook Trust.

Those with an interest in the proposals are being invited to the engagement event where they can meet the team behind the project and give their feedback on the Wisloe plans

The consultation event will include a display of the masterplan for a community set around a new village green, with areas for a farm shop, community centre and café at its heart, along with a new primary school and nursery, and new spaces for businesses. Each new home within the community would be designed to reduce energy use, with low carbon heating and electric vehicle charging points, and a new bridge would provide a direct foot and cycle connection to Cam and Dursley Station.

It is taking place at Slimbridge AFC Clubhouse, Thornhill Park, Wisloe Road, Cambridge, from 2pm to 7pm on Friday, February 18.

Michael Birnie, property director at The Ernest Cook Trust said: “We are delighted that the project team is hosting this engagement event, where they will share our plans for a new sustainable community in this beautiful part of Gloucestershire.

“I am proud of how the team have worked on this difficult task and have created a vision of a new community that is sensitively set within the distinctive landscape of the Severn Vale and respects existing communities.

“Whilst we have already had plenty of helpful feedback, we want to make sure as many people as possible have the opportunity to help shape the development. That’s why everyone is invited to attend the event to share their thoughts on how this development can best serve local communities.”

Cllr Lynden Stowe, cabinet member for finance and change at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Sustainable communities like Wisloe are a key part of Gloucestershire County Council’s vision for growth across the county.

“By working with The Ernest Cook Trust we have been able to set out these ambitious plans for a new sustainable community in the Severn Vale which balances quality of life for residents and neighbours with the unique biodiversity of this part of Gloucestershire.

“Now, we want to talk to local residents so that we can shape and refine our plans in a way which benefits neighbouring communities.”

Residents’ campaign group, the Wisloe Action Group has opposed plans for the garden village.

They said the proposal would “destroy the very nature of what makes Slimbridge a wonderful place to live”, and that combined with other house building plans in the area, the development would essentially create a large town stretching from Slimbridge to Dursley.

The drop in event on February 18 will allow the public to give their views on plans for the proposed new community.

For those who are unable to attend in person, further information and details on how to provide feedback will be available at the project website www.wisloe.co.uk. The project team can also be contacted by emailing wisloe@social.co.uk or phoning 0330 107 0535.