DOZENS of Wotton-under-Edge residents objecting to plans for a 10-home development and large car park attended a meeting of the town council to voice their opposition to the proposals.

The group urged Wotton Town Council to take their stance into account when deciding their position on the planning application, expected to be submitted to Stroud District Council by Colburn Homes within a couple of months.

They expressed the belief that the town’s current capability in terms of parking was underutilised and warned that a 100-space unlit car park could end up a “haven for crime”.

Colburn Homes and Wotton Chamber of Trade worked together to formulate the plans for land off Symn Lane behind the town’s fire station.

The 10 homes have been pitched as a necessity to make building the 96-space car park and easing parking troubles financially viable for the developer. During a meeting between those objecting to the plans last week, the group elected a spokesman and made plans to attend the next town council meeting. On Monday evening they arrived at the town’s civic centre in force and Jason James led the group in delivering their message to the councillors.“We’re concerned a large unlit car park could become a haven for crime,” he said. “We already have a big drug problem in Wotton and are concerned a car park could be seen as a haven for that kind of miscreant behaviour.”

The group clarified that they were not opposed to new parking, but simply found the specific location behind the fire station unsuitable.

As an application has not been submitted at this stage, the council was unable to comment on the development, but noted the public objection.

Managing director of Colburn Homes Martin Evans said: “If the car park goes ahead there is nothing to stop the town council installing lighting at a later date. It is just that there is a limit to how much we can provide free of charge.The town and the town council will need to decide if it is worth developing the land to get a free car park and solve the car parking issues within the town. I am not aware of any alternative sites.”

He also told the Gazette about the current stage Colburn were at with their application.“As for progress, the design work is moving forward, which includes the Highways and landscape issues,” he said. “I do not yet have a date for the submission.”