Cotswold District planners have deferred plans to convert a former school into homes and build new houses on the grounds.
Coln House School, in Fairford, was closed in 2016 after it was put in special measures after an Ofsted report rated it “inadequate” and pupils were removed over safety concerns.
Now Gloucestershire County Council wants to convert the grade II listed building into seven homes and demolish the modern teaching blocks to build 17 new houses within the grounds.
Fairford Town Council objected to the proposals over the loss of community infrastructure, design and a lack of need for the extra market housing.
Speaking at today’s (July 7) planning and licensing committee meeting, deputy mayor Richard Harrison said the plans were a missed “one-off opportunity to regenerate the site.”
“There doesn’t seem to be any local public benefit to justify the heritage impact,” he said.
He called on the committee to reject the plans.
Nathan Maddox, speaking on behalf of the county council, said the proposals were in line with the district council’s local plan and called on the committee to grant permission.
“The use of the former school’s playing fields by the community will not be affected by the proposals,” he said.
“This use has been established for a number of years through licences granted by the county council to Fairford Rugby Club and Fairford Youth Football Club.
He said the playing fields will remain available for use by the local community under the management of Fairford Town Council or Gloucestershire County Council.
Planning committee members felt more information was needed on what alternative community facilities have been considered for the site and issues around access to the playing fields.
Councillor Gary Selwyn said he would really welcome more conversations about potential alternative community facilities.
“Particularly, in the current time where I’m aware Fairford has lost sport facilities in the past,” he said.
“I would like to understand the depth of communication that has gone on about exploring other options.
“What exactly has been considered during the last four years on this site for an alternative facility.”
The committee voted for deferral by six votes to one with three abstentions.
