THE Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government has disagreed with a planning inspector’s recommendation to allow a development of up to 200 dwellings to be built on land off Driffield Road, Allaston Road and Court Road in Lydney.

On Monday Rt Hon Greg Clark MP overturned the planning Inspector’s planing approval recommendation because he had come to a different conclusion.

He also took into account that the Lydney Neiighbourhood Development Plan has progressed since the inquiry was held and had given due consideration to the draft document.

A campaign against the proposed development was launched by the Stop Allaston Developments action group who were opposed to the scheme which included 40 self build plots, 37 retirement apartments, affordable housing and a community building.

Lydney Councillor Alan Preest said: “I’m pleased for the residents.

“However I feel for the objectors and developers who have to wait so long for this to come to a close.

“I think it is a tremendous scheme but it’s just in completely the wrong setting.

“This appeal decision highlights the severe issues with planning in the Forest of Dean abd that the Core Strategy is not fit for purpose.”

Councillor Patrick Molyneux, leader of the Forest of Dean District Council and cabinet member for planning policy said the authority were ’pleased with the Secretary of State’s decision’.

• The developer’s agent Hunter Page planning has six weeks in which to bring a statutory judicial review.