Plans for a 91-home estate and office buildings could be up for negotiation, a district councillor told a public meeting.

Residents fear the proposed estate on the pin factory site at Whitecroft could overwhelm the village.

They have set-up an action group and steering committee to ensure villagers’ voices are heard over the plans by Whitecroft Developments Ltd.

The company includes well-known Forest businessman Mr Brian Bennett.

The public meeting at Whitecroft Memorial Hall last Saturday morning heard that concerns centred on the scale of the development, not the principle of it.

District councillor Richard Leppington (Ind All, Bream) encouraged the group to engage with the developers.

He told the meeting he had met with Mr Bennett recently.

He said: “He knows there is going to be opposition to this and this is his opening offer.

“I urge you to engage with him, put your opening offer and see if we can get to something that is agreeable to you as a community and to allow Mr Bennett to make his money.”

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK’S FORESTER