'We will be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs' - Wotton-under-Edge Town Council votes to oppose plans for housing estate on Holywell Farm

Developer Oxford Law’s application has provoked hundreds of objections from local residents, who have formed an action group and placed ‘Save Holywell Farm’ posters across the village.

Last night, Wotton-under-Edge Town Council met at the Civic Centre to discuss the plans, with all members voting to oppose them. The final decision will be made by Stroud District Council (SDC).

Tessa McClusky, a longstanding resident in Wotton, has a Save Holywell Farm poster in her window.

Before the meeting, she told the Gazette why she opposes the housing estate plans.

“The area is one of outstanding natural beauty – it is right beside Cotswold Way walk,” she said. “People don’t want to walk past houses – they want to walk past a natural environment beside the lovely buttercups and the sheep.

“There is brownfield land available so why do they want to use our green space?”

At last night’s meeting, it was pointed out that Holywell Farm is not earmarked for development in SDC’s Local Plan, which sets out sites for new housing in the district up to 2031.

Cllr Roger Clayton said: “It’s not in accordance with plans. It can be argued that the adverse impact will outweigh the benefits.”

He said a housing development would increase traffic, put extra pressure on local infrastructure, and harm the wildlife on the land.

“It doesn’t satisfy local housing needs or contribute to the needs of the people here,” added Cllr Clayton. “There is no public interest in the application which will result in the loss of an attractive meadow into an expensive private housing development.”

Peter Frampton, a consultant for Oxford Law who attended the meeting to make the case for the development, acknowledged that the land is outside the Local Plan But he argued: “It is in accordance with the national policy for housing land supply. There is a significant shortage of affordable housing in this district.”

But members of the public were quick to counter that the proposed housing was not affordable.

Cllr Ken Tucker listed other land where housing could be built in the area, including at Fountain Crescent and Dryleaze Court.

“There is no need for additional development at Holywell Farm,” he said. “It would inevitably spoil the visual aspects of our countryside which we value and enjoy.”

Julia Fry, a member of the action group whose home overlooks Holywell Farm, spoke during the meeting, saying: “It might come as a surprise to the developers but many of us feel certain things like our surroundings and the wellbeing of our fellow residents are more important than cash. People of Wotton do not want their areas of outstanding natural beauty eroded.”

An image of the proposed homes was displayed in the centre of the room at the meeting. It showed two access points to the houses and one of them, via the playing fields, enraged the public.

Chris Williams, from the Playing Field Association, called developers “dishonest and disingenuous” and said underhanded means had been used to try to use the land.

Cllr Paul Barton said to Oxford Law: “You’ve been pestering them for access for months. Don’t you give up? The answer is no. The playing fields are not for sale, so you can cross that one off your list.”

Mr Frampton commented: “This happened prior to my involvement. I know nothing about that.”

He agreed that “we can’t force the landowners and they have made their position clear.”

The other proposed entrance at Court Orchard was described as dangerous due to traffic by resdent Catherine Anderson, who said: “It’s an accident waiting to happen and is not safe for kids.”

Mr Frampton responded: “Traffic impact documents will be sent away for approval.”

Cllr Alastair Kendall criticised the lack of answers from Oxford Law, saying: “Every point made is met with ‘it will be decided later and by someone else.’ We will not accept this.”

Cllr Paul Barton added: “If we let this development go ahead, I’m worried that we will be killing the goose that lays the golden eggs.

“Oxford law will use their trickery and any legal loopholes that they can to get around us. But we will dig our heels in and fight this to the end.”

Throughout the meeting, councillors and the public returned again and again to the fact that Wotton is in an area of natural beauty that locals want left untouched.

One resident, Pat Rodgers, read a statement from an article written about The Cotswolds in 1933: “In no other part of England do we see such a large area of beautiful unspoiled land… Once the Cotswolds are ruined they are ruined forever.” This was met with loud applause.

Every single councillor in attendance voted to reject the plans, with their opposition to be passed on to SDC.

A date has not yet been set for SDC to make a final decision.