A SCHEME to build a 50-house estate in a historic market town has been rejected, despite developers claiming it would benefit the local economy to the tune of £1.4m per year from its 100 or so residents.

Cheshire-based Kodiak Land wanted outline permission for homes on a green field site between Bradfords Lane and Ross Road, near Picklenash Junior School, and said construction would support more than 100 jobs.

But Forest Council planners turned down the scheme for the second time in 11 months at their Tuesday, April 9, committee meeting, after ruling that the new application was still “unnecessary development in the countryside”, which included a number of horse chestnut trees.

Several neighbours objected to the proposed estate, with Joanne Dicker telling planners: “This application places an unacceptable burden on the already stretched existing local services and infrastructure. It extends the original boundary of Newent town… and will dramatically change the landscape of the town.

Kodiak had pledged £267,000 in section 106 payments to improve community facilities, including £203,574 for Glebe Infants and Picklenash Junior schools, £9,800 for library services, £10,000 for the Watery Lane Recreation Ground, £21,898 to Newent Community Centre for a new kitchen, £10,000 for the Newent Initiative Trust to open a community café and £12,000 to upgrade Newent Scout Hut.

But planning officer Emma Hughes said the site was ‘unsustainable development’ outside the town settlement boundary, and would harm the landscape.

The scheme was rejected by 11 votes with two abstentions.