DESPITE concerns about an outline application for planning permission for 12 homes and six workshop units in Curload, it was claimed there will be “more benefits than disbenefits”.

Stoke St Gregory Parish Council heard from neighbours worried about poor drainage, vulnerability to flooding, increased traffic, the scale of the development and the nature of the design.

Most councillors agreed and felt that work should not proceed without the support of the flood authorities.

A council spokesman said: “More thought needs to be given to the exit to Stanmoor Road, but the development as a whole has the potential to bring more benefits than disbenefits.

“It was stressed that the application is for outline permission only, and the design as it stands would be unacceptable on several grounds.”

Glyn Banks and Graham Gleed were welcomed onto the council for the first time, while Nick Slaon was elected as chairman and Heather Venn as deputy chairman and John Hembrow was retained as the authority’s representative on the village hall committee.

Letters of thanks are to be sent to former chairman Dave Wells and to Gill Slattery for her dedication and support as a district councillor.