RESIDENTS who have formed an action group in response to plans for a 91-home estate say they fear it could overwhelm the village.

But the Whitecroft Action Group insists it is the scale of the development, not the principle of building that concerns them. 

There are fears that an estimated 300 extra cars per day on the B4234 could cause hold-ups as far away as Lydney. 

Whitecroft Developments Ltd – which includes Forest businessman Brian Bennett – is proposing to build the 91 homes and two office buildings on land at the former pin factory site in Whitecroft. 

District councillor Richard Leppington (Bream, Ind) said the outline planning application was the ‘opening offer’ and urged villagers to engage with the developer. 

A public meeting was held on Saturday (August 3) with a view to forming a steering committee to give an input into the plans for development. 

The meeting was set up by Dave Lane and Steve Gaskin who were among a number of villagers who attended a recent West Dean Parish Council meeting to hear what councillors thought. 

Mr Gaskin said: “The purpose of this meeting is to form a steering group that can help the community talk to the interested parties and if  necessary change the shape of what that plan is. 

“There was a parish council meeting a couple of weeks ago and many residents came to hear what the parish council had to say – there was lots of comment and anger. 

“We are not averse to the development.  

“It would be hypocritical of me to say you can’t build on that brownfield site when we are living on one that has been nicely developed. What we are concerned about is the scale, the size and the implications of what happens if that development goes ahead.” 

Mr Lane said the development had to be “proportionate to the existing settlement and facilities.” 

“It is important they (the council) know what we want there,” he added.

Paralympic gold medallist Andy Lewis said it was vital to get as many comments as possible to the district council’s planning department and to let people in other villages know about the implications of a development of the size proposed. 

He said: “Make people aware of the problems.” 

Cllr Leppington said he had met with Mr Bennett recently. 

He told the meeting: “He knows there is going to be opposition to this and this is his opening offer. 

“I urge you to engage with him, put your opening offer and see if we can get to something that is agreeable to you as a community and to allow Mr Bennett to make his money.” 

West Dean Parish Council has ‘strongly objected’ to the plan. 

It says the plan to “squeeze” 91 homes onto a site allocated for 30 is “unacceptable” 

The council is concerned about the safety of pedestrians and says the junction of Forest Road and Hill Street in Lydney will become “even more congested.”