CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new development in Wotton-under-Edge which include a car park have been approved.

And now Wotton Town Council has first refusal to take on the car park, set to be built on Symn Lane.

Colburn Homes’ plans for 12 homes and a car park in Symn Lane have been granted full consent by Stroud District Council.

The plans received initial approval back in July 2018 and divided opinion in Wotton at the time.

Some residents were against the construction on the basis that it would encroach on an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and would lead to more congestion, while others said the development would provide much needed car parking for the town.

Two years of scrutiny and revisions followed, delaying the final approval until now.

It has yet to be confirmed who will take over the running of the car park, but Wotton Town Council has first refusal.

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said: “The car park and houses were approved by the development control committee in July 2018.

“Further work and engagement with the developer has since taken place over some of the details of the scheme, including surface water

drainage, ecological mitigation, tree protection, materials, and construction method statement, through the planning process.

“The legal agreement gives the town council first refusal of taking on the car park.”