Homes bid near M5 rejected amid fears over harm to historic church
Plans to build between one and seven homes in rural Gloucestershire have been rejected due to concerns over the impact on a historic village church. Centaur Homes’ scheme to develop 1.6 hectares of land at Bozard Lane in Tredington near Tewkesbury was refused permission today (April 23).
The developer sought planning in principle to build a new estate on the site which would have included 40 per cent affordable housing. However, concerns were raised over the impact the new homes would have on the nearby grade I listed St John the Baptist Church by Tewkesbury Borough Council’s conservation officer and Historic England.
The churchyard has several grade II listed headstones and monuments nearby, including a 14th Century stone cross. Richard Chatham, who spoke in favour of the proposals at the planning committee, said affordable housing is needed in Tredington.
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He also raised concerns over how a previous application for the site was dealt with by the authority. Several councillors such as Robert Vines (C, Badgeworth) and Mel Gore (C, Isbourne) saw the benefits of developing the site.
Cllr Vines said villages such as Tredington should absolutely not “be left to die”. While Cllr Gore said the concerns over the potential impact on the church could be dealt with at the design stage.
And Cllr Mary Jordan (LD, Churchdown St John's) said she was conflicted by the planning application, highlighting its benefits but also raised concerns. Cllr Matt Dimond-Brown (G, Tewkesbury South) made clear he was in favour of affordable housing but that it should be in a “genuinely sustainable” location.
He proposed following the officer’s recommendation to refuse the scheme due to it going against the council’s settlement strategy and the unacceptable impact and unjustifiable harm to the church. His proposal was seconded by vice chairman Sarah Hands (LD, Innsworth) and councillors voted to reject the scheme by eight votes to four.