Anger over plans for 150 homes in Leonard Stanley

PLANS to build 150 homes on a field which separates two villages have met with furious opposition.

Supporters of the Mankley Field Action Group have left developer Gladman in no doubt about their feelings towards the planned development off Bath Road in Leonard Stanley.

A petition attracted more than 300 signatures when campaigners attended an exhibition at Leonard Stanley village hall on Wednesday organised to show the plans to residents.

Ann Jack, who lives in Brimley, Leonard Stanley, next to the field, said: "We will fight this tooth and nail to stop Leonard Stanley from turning into another Kingsway in Quedgeley."

The two district councillors for the Stanleys also attended the exhibition.
Cllr Steve Lydon said: "I am not against housing development in the Stanleys but we should be developing brownfield land before going for the green fields. 

"What is even more worrying is that there has been no local discussion at all and the vast majority of these houses will not be affordable for the local residents."

Maureen Kerry, who founded the action group, said: "Mankley Field is the only green field we have left in the Stanleys and is also the only division between Leonard Stanley and King's Stanley. If it is built on they will basically be forcing us to become one village."

Residents fear the narrow roads would not be able to cope with additional traffic and say local schools do not have places available for new families.
 

Martin Twigg, spokesman for Gladman, which is also behind the plans for 140 homes at Baxter's Field, Stroud, said: "We were pleased with the level of interest shown in the exhibition.

"Residents concerns about drainage, highways and other technical issues will all be addressed in detailed independent consultant reports which will be examined by the council when the application is submitted in the next few weeks."

A public meeting to discuss the plans was held last night, Tuesday, in Leonard Stanley village hall.

Gloucestershire new homes will 'join villages together'

Mankley field divides King's Stanley and Leonard Stanley near Stonehouse

Residents opposed to plans to build 150 houses in a field between two Gloucestershire villages say it will join them together.

Development consultants Gladman Homes wants to build the homes on Mankley field which divides King's Stanley and Leonard Stanley near Stonehouse.

The Mankley Field Action Group has launched a petition against the plan.

saying the scheme would "destroy" the village communities.

"There wouldn't be any dividing line at all. It's also a lovely spot for wildlife,"

'Not nimbys'

"It will be a terrible shame if it does get built."

Labour village councillor Steve Lydon said the new homes would link the villages - which are less than a mile apart - and added the area is not equipped for 150 new homes.

"We aren't being nimbys, and people are prepared to discuss small-scale developments, but the area cannot cope with 150 new homes here. It will bring chaos," he said.

Dennis Andrewartha, leader of the Liberal Democrats in Stroud, said the introduction of the government's new National Planning Framework (NPPF) policy had left communities at risk from "predatory developers".

The leader of the Conservatives in Stroud, Keith Pearson said any planning application is "dealt with on its own merits".

Gladman Homes exhibited its plans at Leonard Stanley Village Hall last week. It has not yet applied for planning permission for the proposed development.

The Mankley Field Action Group is due to hold a meeting later to discuss the matter.

Gladman Homes was unavailable for comment.

Protest against Leonard Stanley homes plans

Protest against Leonard Stanley homes plans

Friday, April 19, 2013





DEMONSTRATORS collected 300 names on their protest petition in only a day as they picketed an exhibition of plans for new housing in Stroud.Waving campaign placards, the supporters of the Mankley Field Action Group left speculators Gladman in no doubt about their opposition to 150 homes at Leonard Stanley.

Gladman exhibited its ideas for green fields at Leonard Stanley Village Hall on Wednesday.

But so many people turned up that halfway through, Gladman ran out of consultation forms for them to fill in, said resident Susan Davies.

"I think they realised what they are up against," said Mrs Davies, a member of the action group and of Leonard Stanley Parish Council.

Gladman's suggested scheme is for an estate between the top of Marsh Lane in Leonard Stanley and Bath Road in neighbouring King's Stanley.

But the extra traffic would cause gridlock on narrow access lanes and would also link the two separate villages into one urban style sprawl, Mrs Davies said.

She added: "I think it is a bit of a con because the photos showed little houses and green spaces among trees. But they are going for only outline planning permission, which means they pass it on to a developer who could do what they liked.

"I don't think anybody was taken in.

"We are battling on.

Gladman spokesman Martin Twigg said: "We were pleased with the level of interest shown at the exhibition.

"We understand that people have particular concerns about it. In terms of outline, it is perfectly conventional. The details are controlled by the local planning authority. There is absolutely no reason why the first planning permission cannot lead to a high quality residential development of the type we propose."

A public meeting has been called by Leonard Stanley Parish Council at the Village Hall at 7.30pm on Tuesday evening to discuss the proposed new estate.

Council chairman Graham Davies said: "This is one of the most important things to hit the village for a long time.

"We haven't discussed it as an agenda item.

"We want to hear what people think first and we will then represent their views about it."

Mankley Field Action Group launched

Mankley Field Action Group launched to fight 150 home Gladman plan for estate at Leonard Stanley in Stroud, Gloucestershire.

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

An action group is launched, the protest petition is started and the leaflets and posters are starting to go up to opposed 150 homes on green fields in The Stanleys.

Residents of neighbouring King's Stanley and Leonard Stanley have reacted angrily to speculators Gladman Developments' proposals for a housing estate on farmland, known as Mankley Field, which would effectively join up the two villages.

Front from left, residents Dave Camm, Maureen Kerry and Sue Davies with, back, Tom Lydon, Dave Kerry, Chris Judson and Steve Lydon next to the proposed Mankley Field development site in Leonard Stanley.

The Cheshire-based company, which is exhibiting its plans at Leonard Stanley Village Hall in Marsh Road today, helps landowners make the most of their sites.

Householder Susan Davies, who lives in nearby Dozule Close, and many other residents are livid.

They have formed Mankley Field Action Group, demonstrations were 

planned at today's exhibition and on April 23 and there will be a public 

meeting in the Village Hall.

Mrs Davies said: "The field is right behind our house. Villagers see this field as a vital separation between the two villages. They're worried about the traffic from such a huge estate."

Today's exhibition runs from 4pm 7pm. Martin Twigg form Gladman said: "We are embarking on a consultation exactly to allow people to express their views about the scheme, to tell us what they do and don't like.

"It is an opportunity for people to get involved in the process, to express their concerns and their aspirations."