PLANS to build 140 homes in the Slad Valley are back on the table.
Developer Gladman is appealing against Stroud District Council's refusal to let it build the houses on land next to Summer Street.
It is asking a government inspector to overturn the council's decision.
But protesters have vowed to mount a strong defence of the green field site, Baxter's field.
SDC unanimously rejected the plan at its meeting in May. Councillors supported their planning officers who said the homes would damage the landscape and setting of listed buildings and would be outside the settlement boundary for Stroud.
The planning application received more than 1,500 objections to the scheme, and 1,000-strong Slad Valley Action Group has vowed to vigorously contest the appeal.
"We will support the council in defending their decision and will be working to provide evidence to support the reasons they turned it down," said Andrew Dickinson of SVAG. "We will be robustly contesting Gladman's claim that this is of benefit to the community."
The appeal is to be dealt with at a public inquiry and documents will be available for inspection at SDC's Ebley Mill.
Comments made about the original application will be forwarded to the planning inspectorate and will be taken into account. Further comments can be submitted, by July 18, at www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs or by emailing case officer leanne.palmer@pins.gsi.gov.uk.
Gladman has said; "This site is a sustainable location to help meet local housing need whilst retaining the green corridor along the valley bottom and improving public access with the creation of a country park."