DISTRICT councillor James Bevan has had an application to build up to eight homes near Soudley rejected following opposition from local residents.

Cllr Bevan (Independent Alliance, Lydney East) had applied for permission in principal to build between five and eight homes on land west of Upper Soudley near Cinderford.

But the plans were opposed by Ruspidge and Soudley Parish Council and local residents, who claimed the development would do "unacceptable harm" to the character and appearance of the village.

Local resident Mike Raettig called on council planners to reject the scheme at a committee meeting on Tuesday (October 12).

He said: "The site is the only open space in the village and it is an important feature of the local landscape and a visual bridge between the road and the forest," he said.

"The presence of houses on the site would entirely change the situation and would do unacceptable harm to the character and appearance of the village and its surroundings."

He also said there were very few local facilities and the site was not sustainable.

"You can buy eggs, jam and beer in the village. However if you want a loaf of bread you need to get in a car," he added.

Sara Thorne, speaking in support of the plans and on behalf of other villagers, said she thought the new homes would be greatly welcomed by residents.

"Residents old and new would benefit from this", she said.

"Potential internet connectivity improvements, public transport route improvements and who knows, even a small convenience store like Soudley used to have.

"Soudley already has a fantastic facility in the village hall and recreation ground which I’m sure would very welcome to be used more frequently.

"It has a well-established public house which I’m sure would welcome more business from local residents."

Sara added that the under-subscribed Soudley School would benefit from additional pupils and the potential development would be a natural extension to the village.

But planning officers recommended rejecting the scheme, saying that the site is currently an attractive and prominent feature in the streetscape and there is insufficient information to demonstrate the new homes would not affect nearby bat populations.

They also said the new estate was unsustainable due to the lack of services in the village.

The committee rejected the plans eight votes to three.