PLANS to build nearly 130 houses in Tutshill are still facingfierce opposition from local residents.

Around 100 people attended a meeting at Tutshill Memorial Hall last week and formed an action group against the proposed development.

Objections against the plans were discussed with the main points being the impact on transport, schools and the environment.

The group disagreed that traffic levels on the A48 are low enough to cope with the development.

Also, the additional traffic would only increase pollution levels at Hardwick Hill where a monitoring station already reports that levels of nitrous oxide are among the highest in the region.

Finally, the proposals stated that there were enough schools in the area for more pupils, though there are a number of paying schools included in the report.

The outcome of the meeting was the formation of the Tutshill and Tidenham Action Group and the election of chairman, Tutshill resident, Bob Howells.

The group plan to share ideas with other community groups such as those at Sedbury and Berry Hill, to help form a coherant groundswell of objection to such plans.

Residents around Tutshill are being encouraged by the action group to write to the district council objecting to the plans.

The planning proposals were submitted on 18th September by Gladman Developments to the Forest of Dean District Council (FDDC). Should the development, go ahead, it would see the area's housing requirements for the next twelve years met in one go with 126 houses built on agicultural land off Elm Road and Gloucester Road, above.