THE power of music is being harnessed in a village where residents are resolute in stopping unwanted housing development.

Blockley's resident musician Matt Black, the producer of hits like Lisa Stansfield's People Hold On, and Yazz's The Only Way Is Up, is rallying residents together to maintain support to stop 33 homes being built on Little Shoe Broad, by CALA Homes. Residents state the area is prone to flooding and is home to an abundance of wildlife.

Together around 100 locals have formed the Blockley Environment Action Group and held vigil outside the village hall during a public meeting arranged by the developer.

Now Mr Black has organised a village family disco event to lift spirits and keep up momentum in the fight.

"As a villager and a musician I want to contribute to our community by offering uplifting music to inspire us to save Blockley together," he said

“People have got to hold on to what we’ve got and 'keep Blockley a village'. That’s our slogan and our belief.

“Let's strengthen our unity and campaign, dance and have fun at the same time. I’ll be playing all my old hits and other favourites of the 60s, 70s and 80s.”

Fellow campaigner Michael Reid added: “Blockley doesn’t oppose but welcomes growth where sympathetic to the needs, character and heritage of our community.

“We don’t want to be transformed into a dormitory town for commuters and we do intend that our democratic voice will be heard. Most of all, we want to keep Blockley a village. Is that too much to ask?"

The group is urging people to write to Cotswold District Council planning officers and councillors opposing the development. The planning committee is expected to consider the application in early July.

Steve Hird, managing director of CALA Homes said: “We have proposed a scheme which will make best use of land identified by Cotswold District Council as suitable for residential development, within a village which the council itself has determined should accommodate new homes. It would not only help to reach the council’s number of required new homes, but deliver significant benefits for local people too.”

"CALA would contribute significant investment towards the local community through a Section 106 contribution and it is unlikely that these contributions would be available if the housing demand was met by lots of smaller developments."

The family disco is taking place at St George’s Hall in Park Road, on Saturday June 13 from 6pm to 11pm.