TWO Rivers Housing has been given the green light to move their headquarters from Mitcheldean to Newent.

Planners at the district council have approved a multi-million project to build new offices for the firm at Cleeve Mill Business Park.

The plans had been put on hold after councillors raised concerns about smells from a nearby sewage treatment plant but Severn Trent Water had no objections to the scheme.

Councillor James Bevan said: "It's sad to see that we're going to lose employment within Mitcheldean.

"But I am going to support the application because Two Rivers have the choice to move anywhere within the county, but they are staying in the Forest."

The housing firm said moving to Newent will mean lower and more efficient running costs than their present office in Mitcheldean's Vantage Point Business Village.

It is expected that under a third of the overall £12m investment will be used in developing the new office, with the remainder being invested in developing a unique business village.

An outline planning application has been submitted for the second phase of this project, which includes provision of an extra care scheme providing around 40 sheltered housing apartments for the elderly, eight start-up business units and community facilities.