Appeal decision 'nothing short of a catastrophe'

LEGAL advice is being sought after planning permission for 71 homes in Cam left many nearby communities "at risk from predatory developers".

Angry councillors said they were exploring whether they could appeal at judicial review about the consent for the estate in Box Road.

"The inspector's report is bizarre and we are taking legal advice with a view to seeking a judicial review," said Coun Dennis Andrewartha (LibDem, Cam West), the council's executive member for planning.

"We are disappointed for a number of reasons. This decision is likely to significantly damage our attempts to reach a consensus on a constructive Local Plan.

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"It puts many communities at risk from predatory developers."

Cam and Dursley Labour Party reacted to the appeal decision with "anger and dismay" and said it was "nothing short of a catastrophe".

The scheme from Hallam Land Management in Bristol was originally refused by the Stroud District Council.

It said the housing would be outside the limit of the settlement of Cam, the site was in an unsustainable location and the estate would be contrary to the policies of its 2005 Local Plan.

But the scheme has just been allowed by a government planning inspector following an appeal by Hallam. The company had no comment to make.

But another major house builder Lioncourt, which is trying to build 100 homes on Rodborough Fields, attacked Stroud's "poor history" of delivering homes.

The Box Road appeal decision reinforced the need for more housing in Stroud, its strategic land director Any Faizey said.

The council fell "well short" of the five-year housing land supply that the Government demanded, he said.

Mr Faizey added: "Indeed, owing to the poor history of delivering new housing within the district, the council is now required to demonstrate a current supply of suitable land 20% above its stated requirement."