MEMBERS of Coleford Bowling Club are rejoicing after a planning application that would have made them homeless was turned down.

The Angus Buchanan Trust, which owns the land housing the bowling club pavilion and the green where the club have played for 80 years, refused to renew the club's lease.

They then submitted plans to turn changing rooms in the bowling pavilion into a visitors' café and to erect a wildlife hut in the grounds.

Although not part of the application, the trust stated its ultimate aim was to open up the facilities to the public and to create a toddlers' play area on the bowling green.

Barry Powell, vice-chairman of the club, told the district council's planning committee on Tuesday that if the plans were approved the bowling club would cease to exist.

Coun Norman Stephens (Ind, Newnham & Westbury) said it would be sacrilege if the bowling green was lost.

He said: "The bowling green is a big plus for Coleford and it doesn't lend itself to being a toddlers' play area."

Full story in this week's Forester