A CAMPAIGN against a large-scale development in the centre of Winterslow is gathering momentum.

People fighting plans to build up to 140 homes, industrial units, a children’s nursery and accommodation for elderly people on agricultural land near the village hall have banded together to form a protest group called WOOD – Winterslow Opposed to Over Development.

They have launched a website where protest updates will be published and on Monday members lobbied the annual meeting of Winterslow Parish Council to appeal for the support of local councillors.

Poole-based developer Primetower has revealed plans to build between 80 and 140 properties – including many affordable homes – on the site, along with an employment hub, retirement village and day nursery.

The proposals also include a duck pond, village green, allotments and community orchard.

Residents were invited to see the plans at a public exhibition last month and have been given the chance to comment on the proposals.

“Following the exhibition we held a public meeting and about 100 people turned up to voice their concerns,” said John Burnett from WOOD.

“We decided we had to do something.

“It’s not that we are opposed to any development – we think the village needs to grow and flourish but this would mean the complete over development of that site.

“It’s too big and in the wrong place.

“People have aspired to live in Winterslow because they want a rural setting and to have this in the middle of the village would spoil that.

“This is not in the local plan or the village design statement and it would be wrong for the village which is why we have decided to fight it.”

The protesters say that Middleton Road, which would access the site, is not suitable for construction vehicles or a large influx of traffic.

Concerns have also been raised about possible flooding and pressure on the village’s sewerage system.

Following the public exhibition Primetower said they were pleased with the level of interest expressed and would take “full account of the views to date”.

A planning application has not yet been submitted and a Primetower spokesman said it remained “many months away”.