CONTROVERSIAL plans to build houses and a car park in Symn Lane, Wotton, have been withdrawn by the developers.

Colburn Homes originally submitted plans for 10 homes and a 96-space car park with two coach bays, causing mixed reactions from residents in Wotton-under-Edge.

However on Tuesday, May 2 the developers withdrew their application but will be refiling their submission with 16 fewer car parking spaces and with some home sizes reduced.

Martin Evans, the managing director of Colburn Homes, said: “We wish to withdraw the application to allow further reports to be completed, before re-submission.”

The plans caused a passionate debate in the town, many seeking to reject the proposal due to their infringement on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and added pressure it would cause on a congested road.

Residents also suspected that approval of this scheme could pave the way for further development in the town.

Others stated that this was an opportune moment to solve the dire parking issues in the town, some store-holders stating their customers often left in frustration after failing to find a spot.

Wotton-under-Edge’s Chamber of Trade and Commerce said the car park would be worth £750,000 and “vital” to the local economy as more people would visit the town.

A spokesman of Save Symn Lane action group, said: “From our point of view, this changes nothing.

“The proposed new plans do not change the fact that this development would be outside of the town development boundary and in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.”

On Monday, January 16, Wotton town councillors voted eight to two to reject the plans, backtracking on previous approval in front of an audience of more than 100 residents.

A spokesman for Wotton Town Council said: “When we are notified that the plans are resubmitted by SDC they will be re-debated at council, and not until then.”

To view the plans in full visit the Stroud District Council planning website and search for application S.16/2895/FUL.