Housing would have 'harmful effect' on beauty spot

A planning inspector has ruled that building more than 70 homes at a beauty spot in Gloucestershire would have a "harmful effect" on the area.

Stroud District Council had rejected the planning application to build on land at Tait's Hill, between Cam and Stinchcombe.

That decision was appealed by the developer Clifton Homes, but the appeal has now been dismissed following a public inquiry.

Jo Kendall, from Cam Community Action Group (CCAG), thanked the inspector for "standing up for the National Landscape".

Clifton Homes wanted to build a total of 73 dwellings, a public open space and a community orchard at the site.

Concerns were raised the development would have an urbanising effect, impact views from the surrounding locality and would be harmful to the character of the National Landscape - the new name for an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Kendall, who has lived in the Cam area all of her life, said Stinchcombe and Cam would have become an "urban sprawl".

"It would have crashed two of the villages into one another, which we felt was not acceptable," she said.

"It's good to see someone, one of the inspectors in particular, actually standing up for the National Landscape as well."

Steve Willetts, from CCAG, said it was the wrong location for the development, adding that housing targets should not give developers "the ability to build anywhere if someone's prepared to put some land forward".

Russ Legg from the Tait's Hill Road Action Group said residents were delighted the planning inspector backed their concerns.

"This issue has been hanging over the community since 2022. Throughout that time, local people have consistently said this was the wrong development in the wrong place," he said.

"The inspector's decision vindicates what local people have been saying. The harm to this important landscape and the character of the area would significantly outweigh any benefits put forward by the developer."

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said: "The council welcomes the appeal decision, which reinforces our commitment to supporting sustainable development and protects the quality and character that makes our district unique.

"We remain committed to delivering new homes that meet the needs of our residents and businesses and are currently consulting on the early stages of our new New Local Plan, which we are consulting until 9 August."

Clifton Homes has been approached for comment.

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