TWO controversial development proposals will go before Forest planners next week with professionals recommending they are refused the go-ahead.

The plans for 200 homes at Allaston, Lydney and a "solar park" near the Vantage Point business village at Mitcheldean have each sparked opposition from people living nearby.

The housing scheme proposed by Allaston Developments Ltd are described by the Forest Council's planning officers as "an unjustified urban encroachment onto mainly...agricultural land."

As well as the housing – which will include affordable homes – it is also proposed to provide a shop and a community building.

The council has received 452 letters about the development, 312 against it and 140 in favour.

There was also a 1124-signature petition claiming it would cause road safety hazards.

Lydney Town Council has also objected to the development because it is outside the settlement boundary for the town.

It also has concerns about the crossing to the local school and is not impressed by the contribution proposed by the developers for facilities.

Contributions of £130,000 for education, £39,000 for library services, £4,000 for air quality improvements and £121,000 for a highway and transport strategy and travel plan have been suggested.

The town council says that fails to adequately mitigate the concerns.

The developers say the location is "sustainable" and would help satisfy housing needs in the area.

It would also provide large areas of open space, a community building and shop and landscape improvements.

At Mitcheldean, Bee Green Solar is seeking permission to set up a solar park with 14,280 ground-mounted solar panels on land to the north-east of Vantage Point.

The park would generate some 3.57 megawatts of electricity per year which would serve Vantage Point.

A petition with 240 signatures and 128 letters objecting to the proposal have been submitted to the Forest Council.

Objectors say it would be an eyesore changing the landscape and character of the village with beautiful views being lost.

They also say there would be an "unacceptable and dangerous" amount of glare towards the whole of Mitcheldean.

Mitcheldean parish council has also objected saying that while it understands the need for renewable energy the proposal will have a "negative visual impact" on the area and offers little or no benefit to the village.

The applicants say that while some residents would see "notable changes to their visual amenity" the proposed development would appear to be contained by hedgerows and trees and the panels would not be "overbearing".

A report to the planning committee states the solar park would be "alien and intrusive" and would significantly harm the character, appearance and landscape qualities of the surrounding area.

The two proposals will be considered by councillors at the Forest Council's planning committee meeting on Tuesday (January 21).