THE contentious blueprint for developing the Lawnstone House ‘gateway to Coleford’ site is to be decided by the district council planning committee next Tuesday.

Forest of Dean District Council has applied to its own planning department for permission to build a mix of affordable and open market housing, retail and workshops units and an open public space.

The complex would be built of the site of the former Lawnstone House, seen as a crucial’ gateway’ to the town.

Planning officers have recommended the scheme for approval but objectors have no intention of giving in without a fight.

Opponents, including Coleford Town Council and the town’s Neighbourhood Development Plan Steering Group, are to address Tuesday’s meeting and hope to persuade members to reject their own application.

Iain Baird from the Neighbourhood Plan group, which has carried out extensive public consultations over the last three years, says the plan has ignored all of its findings and recommendations.

He said: “We were surprised to find that none of the Neighbourhood Plan consultations’ findings, which have been available to the District Council since June, last year, seem to have been used by the architects when preparing their recently published proposal.

“We have carried out quite a number of consultations with Coleford residents and visitors, over the past three years.

"One theme that arose was the need for a green space within the town for quiet reflection and for breaks during the working day.