A HIGH Court judge has agreed with a Forest of Dean District Council planning decision to block a developer’s scheme for an 85-home development in Newent.

The Gladman Developments’ scheme was to develop land off the Ross Road, which had originally been refused by Forest planners, however, the developer appealed against this decision which was later upheld by the planning inspector.

Inspector Christopher Anstey acknowledged that the development would detract from the rural character and appearance of a nearby heritage asset, the Grade II-listed Mantley House Farm.

But he ruled that the project would make optimal use of the land and providing new homes.

The inspector also dismissed local residents’ objections to the scheme over highway safety, flood risk, drainage, biodiversity, and the capacity of local services and facilities.

But now High Court judge, Mr Justice Peter Coulson QC concluded that the proposal was likely to cause significant damage to the area’s heritage assets, outweighing other factors which included the council’s lack of a five-year housing land supply.

During the hearing Gladman Developments sought to defend the inspector’s decision, but Mr Justice Coulson sided with the Forest of Dean council.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The judge stated that the inspector was aware of the setting of the Mantley House Farm complex but he had misapplied the National Planning Policy Framework presumption that consent should not be granted in such situations.