RESIDENTS fear their "peaceful" town will be turned into Glastonbury 2.0 if plans for a "glamping" complex are approved.
They say the hoards of rowdy holidaymakers the 12 wooden-clad cottages will attract will completely ruin their lovely area.
More than 107 formal objections have already been made by those living round the L-shaped field at the centre of the planning row.
But officers appear happy to ride roughshod over the objections – with a recommendation for approval for the luxury camp site near Glossop on the edge of the Peak District due before a committee next week.
Doctors Paul and Anne Talbot, who will find their home surrounded on three sides by the two- and three-bed lodges, are vehemently against the scheme.
The married couple are currently on holiday, but their neighbour Alan Garlick said they have made repeated complaints about the location, access and screening, which he supports.
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The 79-year-old retired deputy headmaster, who has lived in his detached house backing onto the field for 44 years, said: "I will be reading the Talbots' considered letter of objection to the planning committee this coming Monday."
In it, the pair state that it is "unclear" why the chosen site is considered suitable as their private access lane runs right down the middle.
One of the fields which would be home to the swanky rental pads also has residential properties on three sides and the other on two.
Paul and Anne are adamant that the "narrow, bending lane" leading to all the properties at The Stables on The Heath is too dangerous for any more footfall.
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"It cannot support more than the current number of residential properties," they added.
Another local, who did not want to be named, said the level of noise was also a major concern.
"If people are holidaying in the fields up their they could turn it into Glossop-bury – the Derbyshire equivalent of Glastonbury," they said.
"Everyone loves a party on holiday. How are they going to tell people to keep the noise down as they are in the middle of a residential area?"
But the developers – Unique Holiday Stays – say "disruption will be very minimal" and the pricey lodges "won't attract riff-raff".
Originally the plans were seeking permission for 15 huts, but this was reduced to 12 after a public consultation.
The applicant also agreed to install 5.5ft privacy screens at the edges of decking areas to reduce views towards neighbouring homes.
Despite the measures, the planning application received no comments of support, with residents worried about traffic chaos, sound pollution and the effect on the character of the town.
If people are holidaying in the fields up their they could turn it into Glossop-bury – the Derbyshire equivalent of Glastonbury.
One woman, whose new-build house on Hawthorn Road backs onto the proposed development, raised concerns over her autistic son's wellbeing if the plans were approved.
Another mum-of-two, who moved to the area in 2019, said she was most bothered about her view.
Rachel Brown, intentionally chose her end terraced two-up-two down plot due to sales staff telling her that no building was permitted at the rear.
But now, the 28-year-old, who enjoys stunning scenes of the field behind her property, faces the prospect of these being obstructed.
Rachel, who worked in security before becoming a full-time mum, said: "My son's bedroom is at the back and he loves to look out at the field and the horses.
"It is peaceful, quiet and a beautiful view. Neither of us could cope with the noise, the volume of people and the chaos that this would bring."
She added: "The extra traffic would make it a danger for children like him and my daughter as there are no pavements and no room for any.
"It would be horrific in the summer with the potential for late night noise when there is a need to sleep with the windows open for air circulation."
And Ian Fenton, 69, another of the 107 staunch opponents of the proposal, said he too was most worried about the sheer number of vehicles.
'NONSENSICAL'
The retired quantity surveyor, who has lived on Bowden Road for 36 years, said: "The weight of traffic down what is in effect a single track lane will be enormous.
"And that won't just be the case during the build, but afterwards when all the visitors start using these lodges as some of them will have two cars outside.
"There is no room to pass on the lane; it's just nonsensical.
"It is going to break up and be damaged, but the council officers don't seem to care.
"The drainage is another major problem and we are down the hillside from the proposed site."
On top of the disruption for the local people, some are also fearful for wildlife in the town.
Retired librarian Carole McClaren, 79, who has lived backing onto the fields for 52 years, said: "Nobody actually wants this around here other than the developer.
"We have ground nesting birds, such as pheasants rearing their young in the field.
"It's simply not in keeping and damages the local wildlife."
And grandmother Vanessa McCabe, 58, a retired fruit machine operator, said: "I did offer to buy the field when I moved in seven years ago, but now these new holiday properties will be right behind the house and at the side."
Documents submitted on behalf of the applicant, Ian Craggs, state that that proposal would benefit the local area and address the need for additional visitor accommodation.
The company director said: "It is going to be a beautiful site.
"What I aim to do is to improve what is already there.
"It will bring employment in the area and customers to local businesses.
"People don't like change but there is nothing negative about this.
"Making sure it has a positive impact is really important to me. We want to protect the environment and nothing we do will negatively impact it.
"It is all natural, with lovely ponds and landscaping. It will be nothing like Glastonbury. No music or camping, just beautiful lodges.
"They are not going to be cheap so we won't be getting any riff-raff.
"The lodges are also built off site so there will be minimal noise and disturbance during construction.
"There will be a quiet spa lodge for peaceful treatments.
"I appreciate people are against change but if we do not do it then someone else will come along and build something far worse, like the hundreds of newbuild houses on the other side of the field."
High Peak Borough Council did not wish to comment but pointed to the recommendations outlined by the development control committee.
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This stated that permission should be granted subject to several conditions, including that the lodges are used for holiday accommodation only and the facilities are only available to overnight guests.
Many residents intend to attend the planning committee meeting in Buxton on November 7 to hear the councillors debate the scheme.
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