UPDATED figures for the future housing stock in Chipping Campden have been 'reluctantly' accepted by the town council despite the figure increasing from just over 200 to almost 740.

However, members said accepting a new site proposed by the district council for a potential 438 homes on land at Spring Hill - known as the Polish camp - could more than fulfil their target up to the year 2031 without there being any need to build on other highlighted areas.

Other areas put forward in the SHLAA (Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment) were Barrels Pitch for 13 dwellings, and Aston Fields - two plots for 34 and 80 homes which, paradoxically, the district council had refused, upon officer recommendation, at a previous planning meeting.

However, the town council included suggestions of its own for development: Back End stables - five houses, Bathing Lakes, Broad Campden, 10, The Leasows, 30 homes and Briar Hill Farm, five homes. Two other sites were regarded as potential for housing - Packing Station, 30 homes, though the owner of the land did not agree, and the cricket ground, which could accommodate 30 homes though this would only be feasible if the cricket club moved.

The land at The Leasows had recently been refused an application for 76 houses and had not been included in the district council's list.

A number of residents attending the meeting said they were against several of the proposals. Dennis Stokes said a lot of people were concerned about flooding at The Leasows and that a dam that had been put in had not been properly put to the test, while Chuck Fetters and Chris Propert , members of the Local Plan group, said it made no sense building there and the town council should take it off the list. Roger Hustle said he thought it bizarre that the town council was considering homes on The Leasows when the district council had refused earlier plans. "I cannot get my head round this. I think most of the town does not want any development at the Leasows whatsoever," he said.

The council committee rejected the development for 34 houses in one part of Aston Fields and proposed just 30 homes instead of 80 on the other part. They 'reluctantly' accepted 30 houses could be built on the lower part of The Leasows subject to satisfactory access, drainage and flooding arrangements.

A further three sites included in the Neighbourhood Development Plan at Chipping Campden Academy, Badgers Field and Berrington Mill totalling 63 properties were also agreed.

Committee chairman Bob King suggested accepting the large 60-acre development at Spring Hill be to their advantage despite everyone's concerns it was too large.

"My suggestions is we say to the district council that it is a brownfield site and and worth including in the SHLAA list. Rather than suggesting a number of properties we would say it would be very substantial which may well allow us to meet the target set without taking on all the other options."

Chipping Campden Town Council will meet with the SHLAA panel next week.