A PUBLIC meeting to discuss the controversial plan to build 200 homes at Allaston on the outskirts of Lydney has been cancelled.

Organisers Lydney Town Council decided not to proceed with the meeting, planned for Tuesday (October 28), after seeing a copy of the Forest of Dean District Council's 'position statement' on the proposal.

The district council has decided not to defend its decision to refuse planning permission because a strong enough case could not be mounted at an appeal.

The council's position statement reads: "the District Council have reluctantly decided that it cannot support its refusal of permission made in January of this year owing to the onerous requirements of the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) in relation to land supply and the limited weight that can be put on the draft Allocations Plan and the examiner's version of the Neighbourhood Plan."

Town council chief executive Jayne Smailes said the council it is "still very much in support" of the SAD (Stop Allaston Development) campaign and "will be strongly reiterating its stance" at the appeal hearing on November 19.

The appeal is due to take place at the district council offices in Coleford where councillors.