THE Forestry Commission has drastically revised its once-rejected plans for a viewpoint at the Devil's Pulpit, overlooking Tintern Abbey.

In a resubmission of the scheme which will be placed before Forest planners next Tuesday (January 11) a prominent steel and wood platform jutting out above the Pulpit rock itself has disappeared.

In its place is a low reinforced mound carrying a widened section of the Offa's Dyke path set back from the Pulpit – the spot where the devil is said to have preached to the Abbey monks in attempts to divert them from Christianity.

The platform plans put before the Forest of Dean District Council at the end of 2009 were rejected. At the time objectors included Chepstow Society secretary Henry Hedges, who commented: "The society is opposed to the erection of such a large and obtrusive structure.

"The site ... and the folklore attached to it can only suffer from the 'modernist' intrusion which this platform will represent."

Natural materials in the new application appear to fulfil the objective of the aims of the Forestry Commission, the Wye Valley AONB, English Heritage and Natural England to protect the site from erosion. Curiously, however, the applicants have ticked a box stating there are no trees or bushes on or adjacent to the plan site.

Phil Morton, Forestry Commission head of community and visitor services for the Forest of Dean, said: "We are confident that the resubmitted plan for Devil's Pulpit – which does not include a viewpoint structure – with the proposed works set to improve the site and reduce the erosion to the scheduled ancient monument, will meet the planners' approval. Work is planned to start as soon as planning permission is approved."