CAMPAIGNERS against plans to build almost 200 houses on Bewdley countryside have launched an appeal for funds to aid their fight.

The ‘Bewdley Says No to Gladman’ group is looking to raise £10,000 in just under a month to help pay for specialist legal and planning advice and reports.

They are campaigning against property speculator Gladman Developments’ proposal to construct 195 properties on the farm land off Lakes Road in Bark Hill.

The company has yet to submit a planning application for the scheme and has declined to speak to the Shuttle about it.

But in an initial consultation document sent out to residents, Gladman insist there is a need for more housing in Bewdley and that the development would be a mixture of high quality houses and 59 affordable homes.

Protestors are concerned the plan would ruin the landscape value of Bewdley, add to existing traffic and pollution problems, increase pressure on services such as schools and the new medical centre.

Rod Stanczyszyn, chair of Bewdley Says No to Gladman, said: “Gladman will spend tens of thousands in their attempt to get planning permission for this development so that they can make even more when the site is sold.

“The wonderful, committed supporters of the Bewdley Says No To Gladman campaign have been asked to contribute whatever amount they can.

“Many people were pledging their hard-earned money within minutes of the launch of the Crowdfunding site, on Monday (September 12) afternoon.

“If we can reach the £10,000 target by October 10, we will be in a strong position to pay for the specialist reports we need to save this beautiful landscape and its resident wildlife from destruction."

Last week, residents linked hands and formed a human chain across the land in protest against the plans, while Bewdley Town Councillors Philip Edmundson and Anna Coleman have also expressed concerns about the development.

People can access the Crowdfunder at http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/bewdley-says-no-to-gladman