A PLAN to build a two-bedroomed house in an overgrown garden has been rejected by planners after concerns for the safety of nearby pupils.

Lydbrook Parish Council opposed Julia Ridlington’s scheme for an ‘upside down’ detached house at 1, Merthyr Terrace, Upper Lydbrook, as access to the property opposite the Colliers Inn pub would have crossed a designated red path route to Lybrook Primary, less than 100 yards away.

David Staham and Jacqueline Brown, who live next door to the property, told Forest planners: “Any vehicle movements at either end of the school day would endanger the safety of the parents and children making their way along School Road.” They also said the development would result in their garden being overlooked by the house.

Forest planning officer Melissa Baldwin said the proposal had insufficient off-road parking, with only one space provided, and visibility entering School Road was ‘severely restricted’, creating danger for road users.With 42sq m of garden space proposed for the new poperty, it was below the council’s 100sq m guideline for new houses.