DEVELOPERS behind a controversial plan to build 1,700 homes to the north of the town are to stage a public meeting today.

Crest Nicholson is on the verge of formally applying for planning permission to build the houses at Tadpole Farm, just north of both Oakhurst and Redhouse estates.

And, following a huge response from residents to previous consultation in March, there is to be a second meeting tomorrow from 11am to 4pm at Isambard Community School to discuss the proposal and the feedback from the community.

There has been strong opposition to the plan by residents, who have raised issues such as a huge increase in traffic and the lack of infrastructure to cope with it.

Sarah Foster, of SF Planning Link, which is acting for the housebuilder, said: “Public consultation events on proposals at Tadpole Farm for approximately 1,700 homes, employment, community facilities and major public open space areas were held on five days in March 2011 by Crest Strategic Projects.

“Over 500 people attended the events and as a result 317 written responses were received from 260 households.

“Crest are now undertaking a second consultation prior to the submission of a planning application.

“This is to provide feedback on comments made in March and to build on some of the key issues that were raised, notably traffic impact and infrastructure provision.”

But vehement opponent and former councillor Stephanie Exell, who reformed the Oakhurst Residents’ Association, said she felt the community’s voice was not being heard.

“I’m always pleased when they organise something but we had the feedback as community representatives and parishes at the end of August and all Crest had done was say 55 per cent worried about highways, etc,” she said.

“When we said, have you got any outline plans? there were no solutions and they were asking us to give them solutions.

“It’s unfortunate it is quite short notice. We still don’t feel here in Oakhurst that they really understand what community engagement means.

“We don’t expect to get everything we would like but, on the other hand, we would like to get some sort of compromise.”