Ref. 14892/3PEOPLE living in Staverton believe the ongoing marina development is starting to overwhelm the village.

Parish council chairman Lesley Warne told councillors parking problems were becoming unbearable as more houses are crammed onto the proposed 650-home development.

Speaking after a meeting on Thursday, in which district councillors voted through Redrow Homes' plan to build 55 more homes off Marina Drive, Mrs Warne vowed villagers would continue the fight every step of the way.

Other problems centre on the size of buildings, with three-storey homes looming over the village.

Mrs Warne said: "It will be high-rise by the time they finish. They need to admit they have made a mistake in setting the precedent in the first place.

"It is beginning to overwhelm the village. There is a lot of apathy and some residents are only just beginning to realise how much it will affect them.

"I will keep fighting and I believe the parish council will keep objecting."

Persimmon Homes took over the marina site from Beazer Homes in 2000, with outline planning permission granted in 1998.

Once 340 homes have been built the developers have to apply for permission to build a new road across fields, linking the marina site to the B3105 at New Terrace.

In 2001 villagers told then parish council chairman Peter Lavis to warn developers they would never find plans for a new road acceptable.

The application is expected to cause controversy when it is finally submitted.

Parking problems are steadily increasing as residents shun parking bays at the rear of newly built properties to park in the street at the front of their homes.

Several councillors objected to the designs of the buildings, despite the application being voted through.

Council leader Tony Phillips said: "We are perfectly in our rights to say we require a higher standard. Some of the designs, in my mind, are appalling."

Cllr Ernie Clark said: "This application, as it stands, is inappropriate."