FOREST planners received a round of applause from a packed public gallery after going against their own officers' recommendations to reject an application for a new caravan site in Ross Road, Gorsley.

Officers had recommended a change of use from agricultural and equestrian land to accommodate touring caravans.

But parish councillor Nigel Warwick explained to the planning committee that even experienced caravaners wouldn't want to negotiate the entrance to this site.

He said: "This proposal has no support locally, especially as there is a caravan site less than a mile away which is hardly ever at capacity."

The applicant told the planning committee that he had been a caravaner for many years and that he knew from his own experience that there was a shortage of sites aimed at mature caravaners. He said that this is what he wanted to provide at Gorsley.

Coun Roger Yeates, the local ward member, said: "I'm concerned about highway safety and during our site visit we witnessed how busy this stretch of road is."

For the full story, pick up a copy of this week's edition of The Forester.