THE Kingswood community is uniting to fight two applications for new homes in the village.

The Gazette revealed last week that developer Taylor Wimpey had submitted a second planning application to Stroud District Council for 27 homes on land at Chestnut Park.

The application has been made while an initial application, for 37 homes on the same piece of land, which was refused by Stroud District Council earlier this year, has gone to appeal where it is expected to be decided by an independent inspector in December.

However, community leaders have told the Gazette they are prepared to fight both applications because they fear if the new application is successful it will support the appeal and the village could end up taking more houses.

Heidi Dann, from residents’ campaign group Keep Kingswood a Village, said: "If the 27 houses are approved it effectively dissolves the reasons for refusal for the initial 37 which would make it much easier for Taylor Wimpey at the appeal.

"The message is we have to fight the 27 because if we lose the 27 it is highly likely we will get the 37."

Paul Hemming, vice-chairman of Kingswood Parish Council, said: "It doesn’t matter whether it’s 27 or 37 houses, it makes no difference as the people of Kingswood have concerns."

Villagers have said an additional 37 or 27 homes would be unsustainable because of problems with flooding and claim the local infrastructure would not be able to cope.

There also concerns about the density of the site. In Stroud District Council’s local plan Kingswood was allocated 50 new homes, however, 41 houses have already been built on the neighbouring Tyndale View.

Taylor Wimpey said last week that they had listened to the "needs and considerations" of local residents when submitting the new application. No one was available for further comment this week.

Kingswood Parish Council and Keep Kingswood a Village are now joining forces to fight the appeal by Taylor Wimpey.

Anyone wishing to submit comments for the appeal should visit www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs and should do so by November 4.

Anyone wishing to comment or find out more information on the new application should visit www.stroud.gov.uk Kingswood Parish Council will be meeting at Kingswood Village Hall on Monday, October 10 (7.15pm) where councillors will be discussing the application.