FOREST planners received a round of applause after refusing permission for 200 homes at Allaston on the outskirts of Lydney.

The Forest Council's planning committee backed a recommendation for refusal on the grounds the scheme was "an unjustified urban encroachment" on fields.

Lydney town councillor Brian Thomas suggested the 200 homes could be sited elsewhere in the town.

There was praise for the amount of green space planned for the scheme off Windsor Drive.

But committee chairman Cllr Terry Glastonbury added: "I just wish the scheme was located to the east of Lydney and not Allaston Road.

There application was refused with 13 votes against it and one abstention.

•The planning committee has deferred a decision on plans for a solar park at Vantage Point, Mitcheldean.

Councillors want to know how many homes will be able to see the solar panels, how much noise the transformers will make and the job implications of turning down the application by Bee Solar.