PLANS for two large housing estates in the Forest have been thrown out by councillors.

The same firm – Gladman Developments – is behind the applications in Berry Hill and Tutshill.

The applications, for up to 200 homes on Lower Lane in Berry Hill and for up to 125 for Elm Road, Tutshill, were unanimously rejected by members of the Forest Council's planning committee.

The council had received 110 letters from people living near Lower Lane and 121 letters from villagers in Tutshill.

The company had argued that the developments would bring high quality homes that are needed in the district.

It is not known at this stage whether the developer will appeal against the decisions.

Opponents of the developments met with Forest MP Mark Harper to discuss their concerns.

Members of the Tutshill and Tidenham Action Group and the Berry Hill Action Group were joined by the Stop Allaston Development Group from Lydney at the meeting.

Mr Harper successfully argued that the Allaston development for up to 200 homes should be referred to the Secretary of State for Communities, Eric Pickles, for a final decision.

Mr Harper told the meeting that he would take a similar action for proposals elsewhere in the Forest if circumstances required it.

Following the meeting Mr Harper said: "I was pleased to meet with representatives of these three groups and listen to their very reasonable concerns about potential developments within their communities that fall outside the Local Plan in the Forest of Dean, which has been democratically adopted by local councillors.

"As a result of the meeting, I am seeking assurances from the district council that their calculations of housing need in the district are correct and robust.

"I am pleased that the Planning Minister (Brandon Lewis) has already agreed to my request and recovered the appeal for the Allaston Road planning application so that the Secretary of State will make the final decision."

Bob Howells of Tutshill and Tidenham Action Group said: "We were encouraged to find that Mark Harper already has a strong grasp of the issues at stake here and his assurances that he would not shy away from standing up to development where it is outside the democratically adopted plan was very promising news to us in Tutshill."

Dennis Priest from the Berry Hill Action Group said: "It is reassuring that there are moves to reduce the stranglehold which the developers have had over recent years.

"If Mr Harper can help to bring some common sense to the system he will be helping the entire country, not just the Forest of Dean."