Villagers staged a mock funeral to commemorate the loss of their “green and pleasant land” as proposals are made for an additional 1,700 houses, doubling their community. Residents have said the community of their home at Alderholt, Dorset, would be “killed” by the influx of people.

The fiery protest is fighting against concerns that British villages are being “swallowed up” by larger towns. 

It is particularly a concern in southern England, in which planning reforms have been introduced to help the government hit targets of 340,000 new homes every year.

The group Action4Alderholt was formed in the Dorset village to try and preserve their small community.

One member of the village and leader of the group, Debbie Jacbos, has been pictured stalking through the village dressed as the grim reaper.

She had on her chest a sign which read “I am Dudsbury destroyer of villages”, in reference to the housing developer behind the new proposals.

Meanwhile, a coffin marked with “our beautiful village” is being pulled through the town.

Concerns for villagers include that their local GP will be overwhelmed and congestion will build up on roads.

Michael Hopson, 85, who has lived in Alderholt for the last 16 years, believes the development spells the end of the village.

He said: “We don’t want it. It won’t be a village any more. The problem with all these developments is they never think how it will affect people living there now.

“My family has lived here since the 1500s back when it must have just been a single track. It’s going to put pressure on the infrastructure and it could overwhelm the doctors that we have here.

“The developers just want the money and the council will want the boost in revenue from council tax. The green and pleasant land is disappearing.”

Meanwhile resident Michael Calaghan highlighted concerns about the impact on local infrastructure.

He said villagers already lacked a “usable bus service” and “only one doctor’s surgery in the area.”

Fellow resident David Emery was more positive, saying: “People don’t want it here at the moment but in the long term it will bring money to the area. I would prefer it if it didn’t happen but I’m sure when it is properly established it will be alright.”

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Among the areas that has experienced huge recent change is Bicester in Oxfordshire, where the population could double to 50,000 in the next 20 years if 13,000 planned homes are built in the designated “garden town”.

A Dudsbury Homes spokesperson said: “The development will be transformative for the local area, providing much needed housing and facilities for local families.

“The proposals consist of 1,700 family homes, including 600 affordable homes, a modern medical centre, significant improvements to St. James’ School, and a new 6-day hourly bus service from Cranborne-Alderholt-Fordingbridge-Ringwood.”

Adrian Hibberd, chairman of Alderholt Parish Council, confirmed that Dorset Council had received the proposal and said he’s waiting to see something “in black and white” before passing comments, adding: “Until an application comes forward we’re not having a view as such. There are more developers than just Dudsbury Homes trying to do the same thing at the moment.

“Alderholt is surrounded by land that wants to be built on.”

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