A FOREST businessman has voiced his support for controversial plans for 200 homes on the edge of Lydney.

Kevin Toombs, who is well-known in the property industry, says it is "a no-brainer" that the development off Allaston Road should go ahead.

There is much opposition to the plan in the area around the site and the decision by the Forest Council not to defend its initial refusal of planning permission has been met with outrage.

Mr Toombs told the Review: "Settlements need to grow. If we don't have more people we don't produce more income.

"These 200 homes will bring 500 people so that is 500 spenders and that brings in money, some of which will go into the local community.

"It's a no-brainer, it might sustain more shops, it might potentially give us a new village centre.

"There is an element of not in my back yard but if there wasn't development there would be nothing beyond Albert Street and the people there would be looking out onto fields.

"This development is very balanced and it's a win-win for the community.

"It will bring in a load of jobs and there will be self-build plots, which people have been crying out for and a commercial area – facilities which are which not there at the moment.

He said a small part of the 'global' site had already been developed with an access from Court Road.

"The people behind this are progressive and forward-thinking and will deliver this development."

Mr Toombs, who says he has no direct interest in the development, also dismissed claims by Forest councillors that the authority was 'at the mercy' of the planning system.

The council has said its case for refusing planning permission would not stand up at an appeal because there is an insufficient supply of land for house-building over the next five years.

"The councilis not at the mercy of developers – it should be working with developers for the benefit of the local community."

But much of the local community sees no benefit in the development and a public meeting has been organised for next Tuesday at Lydney Town Hall.

Campaign group SAD (Stop Allaston Development) has criticised the council for not defending its decision to refuse planning permission and has asked to see the minutes of the meeting where the decision was made and by whom.

In an e-mail to council leader Cllr Patrick Molyneux (Con, Hewelsfield and Woolaston), Cheryl Stickler of SAD said: "There were over 300 letters objecting, 1,000 signature, 99 per cent voted no and we have over 500 followers on Facebook – and you are not going to support your public.

"We believe this can be fought on the grounds of sustainability as per the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework).

"The NPPF goes on to say about well-being and utilising brownfield sites – which Lydney has plenty of."

In a statement on the situation to the Forest Council's planning committee, Cllr Terry Glastonbury (Con, Alvington, Aylburton and West Lydney) said the decision not to contest the appeal "was not taken lightly."

He said because the five-year land supply could not be guaranteed the council could not take the financial risk of opposing the appeal.

The public meeting is planned for next Tuesday (October 28) at 7pm at Lydney Town Hall.