PLANS for an “energy efficient” home have been given the go-ahead despite concerns over its impact on an iconic local beauty spot.

Gus King has been granted permission by Forest of Dean District Council to demolish the existing dilapidated home at Copperfields at Yartleton Lane in May Hill.

The plans, which were considered today (September 12) by the development management committee, include building a new four bedroom Passivhaus house which has the sleep quarters on the ground floor with the main living accommodation on the first floor.

Passivhaus is a voluntary standard for energy efficiency in a building which reduces the building’s ecological footprint.

Such properties are designed to require little energy for space heating or cooling.

The proposed new home will be rectangular in form, lying north to south, with the longer elevation facing the public road and will feature a dual pitched roof and a covered balcony to the south elevation.

The west side of the home facing Yartleton Lane will be angled with the south west elevation being wider than the north west.

And a single flat roofed garage will be attached to the north east as will an external open staircase.

Council officers had recommended rejecting the proposals due to the size scale and visible location of the new property as this would harm the character and appearance of the designated, surrounding landscape of May Hill.

However, councillors went against the professional opinion of the planning officers and voted to approve the scheme by eight votes to two.