PLANS to build 24 homes in Coaley were approved on Tuesday night by Stroud District Councillors, much to the displeasure of more than 30 residents who made the trip to Ebley Mill.

Council officers had advised the development control committee members to approve the plans for 14 affordable homes and 10 market value houses near the Grade II listed Betworthy Farm.

Residents had claimed that these additional homes, outside the settlement boundary, would put further pressure on an already debilitated sewage system which is already hindered during heavy rain.

More than 80 of the village’s residents registered their disapproval on the council planning website.

One objector 72-year-old Dave Billett who attended the meeting, said: “One of our main objections to this plans is the 12 people who were found in the Housing Needs Survey in 2016 – we aren’t aware of who they are and they will not come forward, they need to claim these houses.

“Many may think, ‘yes I would like a more affordable house’, but do they fully realise what this means when they fill out a questionnaire?

“This development takes no account of the older population of Coaley, a forgotten sector who make up the majority of the Coaley population.

“If we are prepared to allow affordable housing at any cost this spells disaster for many of our local villages.”

Severn Trent surveyed the site and confirmed that they had 51 per cent confidence that the system would be able to cope with the added strain.

Developers Bayhill Property Ltd have added additional easing methods to their plans after consultation with SDC.

This includes a Rural SuDS attenuation pond to the east of the site to help divert excess surface water and provide an area for landscaping.

Cllr Dorcas Binns (Con, Minchinhampton), said: “I feel that this will have such a detrimental impact and damage the community and the character of Coaley.

“We have to protect our green fields at all costs and I do feel that the extended land west of this site will be built upon.

“I have grave concerns about the reasons for this development, if we had housing for our older people in this development then I could support it.

“We must design houses for our ageing population and building houses suitable for older residents in villages so they aren’t forced to move to our cities.”

Council planning officers advised that this development would be an exception to several housing rules which restrict building outside of a town’s settlement boundary.

Cllr Jim Dewey (Green, Coaley & Uley), said: “Families do want to stay in the village, I’ve talked to several families who have young children who would like them to be able to live in the village.

“These houses would help to support the school, church and village as a whole, however I will be pressing Severn Trent to make improvements to their current systems.”

Homes in this case will only be built to match the housing need in the village and the site itself is well places due to the boundary wrapping around the current agricultural field.

Cllr John Marjoram (Green, Stroud Trinity) moved to approve the plans, calling them “an absolute gem” citing a “responsibility to build” which was seconded by Cllr Jenny Miles (Lab, Cainscross).

This was approved by four votes to two.