ANGRY protestors have accused a company behind a housing proposal for Bewdley of using “underhand tactics” to support it's application.

Gladman Developments has drawn up controversial plans to build 195 homes on countryside land off The Lakes Road in Bewdley and has been collecting data on car park usage at two nature reserves and pollution levels in Welch Gate.

But the Bewdley Says No to Gladman group claimed people carrying out surveys told Dry Mill Lane and Coppice Gate car park users they were doing research on behalf of Natural England.

The group also said data collected was skewed because they had chosen times when the car park was closed and buses were on reduced services to measure usage and nitrous oxide levels.

Gladman declined to comment on the claims but Natural England confirmed that no research had been commissioned by them.

A spokesman said: “Natural England has given permission to housing developers to erect temporary cameras to assess the number of cars using the car park.

“We understand that they are also conducting some interviews to assess frequency of visits.

“They have not been commissioned by Natural England to do this, however we have given permission for them to collect this information whilst on our car park.

“We are getting in contact to ask them not to say they are doing this on behalf of Natural England.”

Campaign group chairman Rod Stanczyszyn said: “We are not really surprised at the underhand tactics that Gladman are using.

“They installed cameras at both locations to take photographs of people using the car parks. Also, there have been people from one of their consultants undertaking a survey about the public’s use of the forest.

“These people would either refuse to answer straightforward and understandable questions about who they were working for, or in some cases, deny their connection with the planning application at the Lakes Road.”

He added: “Welch Gate has suddenly become a hive of activity because of the pressure of the Bewdley says No to Gladman Campaign.

“There have been people there with a speed measuring device and others fixing small plastic tubes to a lamp post to measure air pollution, something that should have been started months ago.

“We wait with baited breath for the likely analysis of how their inappropriate application at the Lakes Road will only make the pollution situation worse at Welch Gate.”

The application was originally due to be heard in December last year by Wyre Forest District planners but has been deferred twice while Gladman gathers additional information.

Gladman has previously stated there is a need for more housing in Bewdley and that 59 of the properties would be affordable homes.