MORE than 100 residents crammed into Berkeley Town Hall on Monday

to declare their strong opposition to a report recommending 300 new houses on the edge of town.

The public meeting was called to allow residents their say on the Government inspector's report, which, if adopted, could see the town increase in size by a third.

Almost unanimously residents and town councillors castigated the report and completely dismissed the possibility that 300 homes could be built at the site on the east of Berkeley.

Stroud District Council planning strategy manager Pete Gilbert explained the reasoning behind the inspector's recommendations and what the next stages were.

But many at the meeting felt the inspector could not have visited the town and spoken to residents otherwise he would never have made such recommendations.

One said: "The inspector does not seem to have seen the same town that I live in."

It was made clear by a number of speakers that amenities and infrastructure were barely adequate now, even before an estimated 600-700 people were added to the population.

Residents also rejected the notion that a rejuvenated Sharpness would be an employment centre for the added population. They claimed people who would move into the new houses would not be the same people who would be working at Sharpness.

The fact that the site is on the flood plain was also highlighted as a reason for rejection.

Only briefly was a potentially positive aspect of the proposed development raised.

More than 50 of the 300 homes would have to be affordable housing, which could give first-time buyers a much needed chance to remain in the town.

However, most residents were dead against the recommendations and they called on district councillor Ben Francis to fight their corner at Ebley Mill.

Cllr Francis said: "From what I have seen and heard from the people of Berkeley I will have to oppose it.

"I have already spoken to the leader of the council about it and I think it would be unethical to vote in favour."

The 'no' campaign will also be backed by Cllr Martin Whiteside (Green, Thrupp), who is also the Green Party's prospective Parliamentary candidate for Stroud.

His ward is also faced with an unwanted housing allocation.

Cllr Whiteside said: "I will be speaking very strongly against this when it comes to council."

Berkeley's representative on Gloucestershire County Council, Cllr Basil Booth (Con), then announced he would join the fight by arguing that the development would not be in keeping with the county's structure plan.

There was also support from Conservative prospective Parliamentary candidate for Stroud Neil Carmichael, who claimed that a flawed Government policy was forcing the hand of the council.

Mr Carmichael told the Gazette: "The real problem is that the Labour Government have decreed that the district should have 9,400 more houses and Stroud District Council is being forced to find space for them. This is virtually impossible."

Stroud District Council will consider the inspector's report in April - at which point Berkeley could be dropped completely or remain in the proposed Local Plan.

Should Berkeley stay in the proposals, the formal public consultation is set to take place during May and June.