FARMLAND next to the childhood home of literary legend Dennis Potter is set to be turned into a 180-home estate after being sold to a builder.

The 26-acre site off Lower Lane in Berry Hill was the subject of a controversial planning battle after a High Court judge overuled Forest planners and the then Communities Secretary Sajid Javid, who had both rejected the massive new estate.

Mr Javid, now Chanecllor of the Exchequer, orginally said the development would blight the Wye Valley AONB and the surrounding countryside, but approved it after the High Court decision.

Chartered surveyor and property consultant Fisher German has now sold the land, which has outline planning permission, on behalf of the owner to Barratt Homes.

It was originally targeted for development in 2014 by Cheshire- based Gladman Developments.

Forest Council plan- ners rejected the scheme, backed by the Secretary of State, leading to a court battle in 2017, where the developers overturned the decision.

Matthew Handford at Fisher German said: “West Gloucestershire is in real need of new housing stock, so we are very pleased that we have sold the land on behalf of our client to Barratt Homes. There will be a mix of properties for both rent and sale which will help plenty of local people get on the property ladder.”

About 40 per cent of the houses on the 26-acre site built will be provided by a registered social landlord, he added.

Barratt Homes South Wales managing director Steve Williams said: “Our aim is to provide stylish and sustainable housing for a wide range of buyers with varied lifestyles.

“We think very carefully before deciding where to build new properties - and we’re thrilled to be playing our part in bringing new homes to people in Coleford.”

Around 1,700 people currently live in Berry Hill, where famous Forest dramatist Potter was born in 1935.