A CAMPAIGN group against overdevelopment in a Cotswold town has conducted a poll in which residents voted overwhelmingly against the idea.

Moreton Against Overdevelopment carried out the poll on the town's high street on June 8 and had a steady stream of people come to have their say. 

A total of 1,334 votes were cast with 1,284 voting against proposals to build another 1,810 homes in Moreton. 

The group hopes that the 96% rejection rate of the plans by the people in the town will make  Cotswold District Council reconsider.

Campaign founder, Darren Curry, said: "We’re delighted to know how many people share our team’s anxieties about these proposals and we will now meet to discuss the possible options to take the campaign forward.  

"An early priority is to call a public meeting with all residents invited to discuss how we can all work together to persuade CDC to reconsider its unacceptable proposals and consult more comprehensively with the people of Moreton all of whom will be affected by their plans. 

Moreton currently has around 2,300 homes and its population has increased by 44% since 2010. 

Mr Curry continued: "Whilst we hope that CDC will recognise this clear rejection of the existing proposals and revise them before consulting more meaningfully with the residents once more, we are clear that Moreton is ready to take them on if they are not prepared to reconsider, and we will need your help with this.  

"Those who agree with our views must come together and join the fight back so please keep an eye on social media for regular updates.  

"The relatively few who agree with the proposals will be welcome to join in the debate – we welcome all opinions."

The addition of another 1,810 homes would nearly double the size of the town.

A Cotswold District Council spokesperson said:  “No decisions around development in Moreton-in-Marsh have been made and the council is committed to engaging with residents on where new homes are built and infrastructure improvements should be made.

“We ran two Moreton specific engagement events through the last Local Plan consultation process to ensure residents had the chance to speak to us about our very early thoughts on how we meet housing targets and make any new development work for the town.

“The responses we had to our consultation earlier this year were very insightful and we are currently in the process of reviewing them all and will be commissioning further evidence studies based on the feedback.

“We will continue to engage with Moreton residents and listen to their views over the coming months and years as we develop our Local Plan.”