Contentious proposals for the construction of 80 new homes on the fringes of a Gloucestershire town have been turned down, following strong opposition from the community and worries about inadequate public transport. Forest of Dean District Council refused Lantar Developments permission to build on over five acres of land north of Grove Lane in Allaston, Lydney.
The development plan included a provision for half of the houses to be affordable and suggested vehicular access from Allaston Road, with a pedestrian pathway connecting to Grove Lane. The project faced resistance from more than 380 individuals and Lydney Town Council.
Critics argued that the development contravened planning policies, encroached on open countryside, and would result in the loss of valuable open space. They also highlighted the presence of brownfield sites within the town that could be suitable for housing and expressed concerns that Lydney has already accommodated a significant number of new housing projects.
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Resident Neil James voiced his objections at the development management committee meeting on November 12, emphasising serious issues regarding access to the town centre via Driffield Road and Allaston Road. "Driffield Road is narrow without adequate safe passing places," he said.
"This results in the inevitable confrontation of opposing vehicles which is particularly hazardous during the inclement weather conditions and during the hours of darkness.", reports .
James also said Allaston Road was in poor condition and that there were problems at the Albert Street junction.
Zesta planning agent Matt Tyas urged the committee to green-light the housing proposals, highlighting Lydney as a crucial location for building new homes to address the Forest's housing needs. "The application comes at a time when the council has a significant five year housing supply shortfall," he emphasised. "And a high level of affordable housing need in Lydney."
He went on to add that the assortment of properties would cater to first time buyers, feature bungalows and include rental options, while also mentioning the Robin service for frequent public transport links to the town centre.
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Ward Councillor Harry Ives (C, Lydney North) expressed his opposition, arguing that the plans contradicted council policies and branded the site unsustainable: "This application is asking to build 80 houses in a location that is outside a settlement boundary, in the open countryside on land which is not allocated for housing."
He noted the extremely limited public transportation access and the distance exceeding a mile from the town centre.
Cllr Richard Burton (G, Newnham) raised doubts about the travel sustainability linked to the site, with Cllr Gill Moseley (LD, Newent and Taynton) mirroring worries regarding the inadequate public transport. She added: "I hope the capacity of the bus service will improve with the demand."
Councillor Jacob Sanders (L, Cinderford West) expressed his doubts about the approval of many homes in the Forest if they required a high standard of public transport.
Cllr John Francis (I, Longhope and Huntley) stated that the committee was caught between a "rock and hard place" as the council is expected to permit more house building in the district. "It isn't sustainable from a transport point of view," he commented.
Cllr Simon Phelps (I, Westbury-on-Severn) voiced his reservations but noted that the council could not demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. He feared that refusal might lead to an appeal against the decision by the developer.
Chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) argued that it was not a sustainable location for houses. He pointed out that public transport links were "at least a bike's ride away" and highlighted the difficulty of returning up the hill after reaching Lydney.
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"Traipsing up that hill is a very long slog," he remarked. The committee rejected the bid to grant permission by eight votes to three.
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