Councillors take a chance (From Stroud News and Journal)

Councillors take a chance

COUNCILLORS have put their necks - and our money - on the line by putting off a decision that looks set to shape the future of Nailsworth.

Stroud District Council was set to decide a planning application giving Stroud College outline permission for houses at its Highwood campus in Forest Green against the backdrop of a long a complicated legal battle which has been rumbling on for years.

In December 2000 SDC refused permission for housing on the site but the college appealed. The appeal failed, so the college then took the matter to the high court where the findings were over-ruled.

A fresh appeal is set to take place within the next few weeks.

Although it was never spelled out as such, SDC's original objection to the scheme was that it would price Forest Green Rovers out of the market for the college land and potentially drive the football club out of Nailsworth.

The club had wanted the site to expand its ground but now has different plans and is considering looking elsewhere.

Councillors refused to be rushed by the prospect of the appeal.

"This is one of the most important applications we've ever dealt with," said Cllr John Marjoram.

"Whatever we decide today is going to have a domino effect which will change the future of Nailsworth."

Cllr John Jeffreys, ward councillor, said plans were afoot in Nailsworth to come up with a solution to give the college its money, FGR a ground in the town and the community the amenities it desperately needed.

But it would take time to iron out the details.

Councillors called for a site inspection on the basis that many members had not been on the committee when the first application had been made.

Planning officers and legal advisors told councillors they were playing with fire. "If a decision isn't made today you're going to find yourselves going into an appeal at the end of this month with no case to defend," said planner Barry Wyatt.

But while officers were worried about the decision, others were jubilant.

"We're heaving a sigh of relief," said Leslie Williams-Allen, mayor of Nailsworth.

"It's given us a breathing space and we shall make what we can of that and explain our vision which could work out well for everyone involved."