THE public inquiry into the hotly debated Hunts Grove development is to be shorter than expected.

The inquiry was originally meant to last for 16 days over a four week period, but the proceedings, which opened last Tuesday at the Council Chamber at Ebley Mill, have now been reduced to just five days.

The hearing was shortened even further when last Thursday's proceedings, which included Stroud District Council officials giving evidence in favour of the development, ended before lunch.

The withdrawal of evidence against Hunts Grove by Gloucestershire County Council and Robert Hitchins, rival developers, has also affected the length of proceedings, which is thought to be costing the district council £100,000.

The application for 1,750 new homes at Hardwicke, south of Gloucester, known as Hunts Grove, was called in by the Secretary of State for a public inquiry last autumn after a request by David Drew, Labour MP for Stroud, and Parmjit Dhanda, Labour MP for Gloucester.

The two MPs argue the large development would be unsustainable and unsuitable so close to Gloucester. Mr Drew proposed the housing be dispersed around the Stroud district.

So far Mary Travers, the government inspector in charge of proceedings, has heard evidence from Crest Nicholson, the developers behind Hunts Grove, and Stroud District Council, who gave the application permission and have included it in their local plan.

This week Ms Travers was expected to hear evidence from Gloucester City Council, which is strongly opposed to the development and would rather see the city expand to the north.

Evidence was also expected to be given by Mr Drew and Mr Dhanda as well as other interested third parties including Graham Wiltshire, of Cam, who says he will be speaking for the taxpayer.

Final submissions are due to be heard on Tuesday, February 5.