PLANNERS are claiming victory after stopping a modern viewing platform they believed would turn a famous beauty spot into an eyesore.

Horrified councillors threw out plans for a timber and steel viewing platform at the Devil's Pulpit before Christmas.

Designers then produced a much more natural looking vision for the famous viewpoint which overlooks Tintern Abbey from Tidenham.

This week the development control committee at the district council said the change of heart proves they were right to question plans for the scheduled ancient monument which is under threat at pinch points crossed by the popular footpath.

A partnership made up of the Forestry Commission and other organisations including English Heritage and Natural England were behind the plan for a 4.5m long platform made from timber faced steelwork which was likened to a jetty.

But when the Forest of Dean District Council branded it an eyesore new consultants came up with an alternative proposal to protect the earthworks with a geo-textile material.

Soil will be used to raise the level of the path and create a natural viewpoint bordered by limestone boulders and reached by timber steps.

Committee chairman councillor Terry Glastonbury congratulated members.

He said they had safeguarded an ancient monument that would have been lost forever if they had not intervened.