VILLAGERS say a fallen and flooded tree only adds to evidence that its site in Upton St Leonards is totally unsuitable for housing.
Dozens of Upton residents have protested to Stroud District Council and warned that 15 new homes at Bowden Hall Farm would compound existing flooding problems.
But now the huge pine on the land in Bondend Road has just toppled down, renewing opponents' concerns about the scheme.
Keith Pearson, the area's parish council chairman and also a Stroud district councillor, said he blamed the state of the ground for the tree coming down.
"The hole where the root was, it was simply full of water," Mr Pearson said.
"The water table is right to the surface. It is a classic example of why the land is unsuitable.
"This land is liable to flood," he said.
Altogether 32 letters of objection to the plan put forward by Reino Kahkonen have been registered on the district council's website.
There were also 100 people at a recent meeting about the development of the farm site, said Mr Pearson.
A potential increase in flooding, after three severe floods in Upton in recent years, is highlighted by the householders letters.
They've also expressed concern that the homes would be outside the defined limit of Upton St Leonards and that they'd add to existing traffic jams, particularly near the primary school.
The scheme is, however, being recommended by council officers for permission when it comes before Stroud's Development Control Committee on Tuesday night.
They recognise flooding is a "major issue" raised by the public and that the site is bounded by the River Twyver.
However the officials' report states the majority of the site is within the lowest flood risk category.
"Officers conclude that there is no evidence to demonstrate that the development of this site would increase flooding either to the site or other sites in the area, and, subject to conditions requiring technical drainage, is acceptable in planning terms," they state.
