KINGSWOOD near Wotton-under-Edge is a village facing an onslaught of threats from developers.

Last month the action group Keep Kingswood a Village successfully fought to protect land from a 59-home development on land near Chestnut Park from Crest Nicholson.

Now, in addition to fears that Crest Nicholson will appeal, one of the latest builds in the pipeline – a plan to erect 200 homes in two phases by Gladman – has come as yet another shocking blow to residents.

Patricia Broadfoot, of High Street, Kingswood, is the chair of KKAV – which formed around five years ago to defend the village from reckless and unnecessary development damaging the core of their community.

She, along with many others in the area, received a ‘public consultation’ pamphlet from Gladman in mid-March outlining their intent.

“The notice from Gladman did come as a shock. We didn’t even have time to sit down and have a drink after fighting the previous development plans,” said Mrs Broadfoot.

“It’s just too many houses and the ‘public consultation’ element is completely flawed. They’re planning to build on Charfield Road and many of the people living there didn’t even receive the notice.”

These plans from Gladman, coupled with a potential Crest Nicholson appeal, are causing a great deal of concern among the residents of Kingswood.

On top of this, Mrs Broadfoot also understands that a development by Persimmon is in the works for land off Wickwar Road, as developers allegedly discuss a plan for 64 houses with the local planning authority.

Mrs Broadfoot continued: “All of these developments form part of a bigger story we’re discussing – and the fact is there’s nothing we can do to stop it.

“The English planning system is stacked in the favour of the developer and not the people on the other side.”

Despite a fierce response to the mass of developments coming their way Mrs Broadfoot insists KKAV is not an anti-development group.

“We’re not against any development at all but we know what we require. We’ve identified a need for a small number of small affordable houses - one or two bedroom places for people in the area getting onto the property ladder.”

Despite the series of David and Goliath battles the villagers are taking on in response to proposed development they show no signs of giving up anytime soon.

They will continue select prime areas for development in a neighbourhood plan – a task made more difficult due to the influx of developers sweeping through the area – and carry on campaigning against new objectionable proposals as they arrive.