PLANS for 188 new homes in Berkeley have been given the go-ahead after the developer successfully appealed against Stroud District Council’s decision to refuse permission.

Charles Church Developments Ltd overturned the decision made by the planning committee last year to reject the proposals on the grounds that the housing estate would have a negative impact on the Grade I-listed Berkeley Castle and landscape.

This week a government planning inspector concluded, following the appeal, that the benefits of the development outweighed any heritage or landscape harm.

Berkeley Town Council had given its backing to the development with chairman and town mayor Cllr Liz Ashton speaking in favour of the proposals at a public inquiry in August.

Cllr Ashton told the Gazette: “Whilst we appreciate that not everyone is going to be happy, this is fantastic news for the town.

“The town needs more people living here to support traders but they will also contribute with council tax which will help us do more work for the town.

“It’s fantastic news and it is especially great to see 56 affordable homes will be included.

“There is masses of support for the development in the town – especially from younger people. These are people whose voices are not often heard and I felt that I needed to speak (at the inquiry) for their interests.

Of the 188 homes, 56 will be ‘affordable’ with 27 offered for ‘affordable’ rent and 29 for shared ownership.

More than £500,000 will also be provided by the developer as part of Section 106 benefits for improvements in the town, including £385,000 for Berkeley Primary School, £153,000 for pre-school provision and £140,000 for leisure and recreation facilities.

The district council had not included the site near Berkeley Bypass in its Local Plan for new housing up to 2031, but ‘limited development’ is permitted on land not in the blueprint.

Although the government inspector said SDC had demonstrated a five-year housing land supply – a key component of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) document – he decided that the benefits of the additional homes outweighed this.

The inspector, Clive Hughes, wrote in his final report: “I have concluded that the council can demonstrate a deliverable five-year supply of housing land and that the proposals comprise sustainable development as described in the framework. 

“The identified harm to designated heritage assets is less than substantial and this harm is outweighed by the public benefits. 

“The harm to the landscape is localised and limited.”

A spokesman for SDC told the Gazette: “We are very disappointed with the decision and are considering our options.”