Decision postponed for plans for 140 homes in Gloucestershire town

A decision on plans to build 140 homes in a Gloucestershire town has been postponed until March.

Freeman Homes wants permission to develop some 7.53 hectares of land at Poolway Farm in Gloucester Road, Coleford.

Their scheme was due to be debated by the Forest of Dean District Council’s development management committee on January 21.

However, chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) told the meeting the planning application had been withdrawn from the agenda.

The proposal were withdrawn as the applicants requested a time extension.

They raised concerns over some of the recommended conditions proposed by the council and want more time to consider concerns raised by councillors during a site visit and the issue of great crested newts.

Development Control Manager Clive Reynolds said in an email to the committee the day before the meeting that he carefully considered their request and decided to withdraw the item from the meeting to allow the applicant and consultees to further discuss the case.

“Hopefully an agreement [can] be reached upon the conditions to be recommended with further clarity on issues that members have raised,” he said.

“The intention will be to represent the matter to committee with the March 11, 2025 meeting being the likely date.”

The proposals seek full planning permission to build the new homes along with road access, footways, parking, drainage and open space.

The plans include retaining Poolway Farmhouse while demolishing redundant farm buildings.

If approved, the new estate would have 53 two bed homes, 34 three bed houses and 37 four beds along with 12 two bed flats, including two flats over garages and four five bed dwellings arranged around a new estate road gaining access off Gloucester Road to the east via a new roundabout.

The proposals range between two and 2.5 storeys in height. And twelve of the properties are proposed to be offered to the over 55s.

Coleford Town Council recognise the site is allocated for housing in the neighbourhood development plan but have objected due to highways concerns.

They say access via a roundabout is critical and they fear the gas governor is proposed to be located in an inappropriate and unsafe position given this is the main lorry route into Coleford and heavy articulated vehicles could cause damage to it.

And some 16 people have also raised concerns. Some fear the impact the new homes will have on local services and that the estate would be out of keeping. Consultants working on the scheme say the plans will provide much needed housing.