Hill Paul out, Highwood in (From Stroud News and Journal)

Hill Paul out, Highwood in

TWO controversial decisions were taken by planners at yesterday's meeting of the district's development control committee.

Stroud College's application for outline planning permission to build houses on its Highwood Campus in Nailsworth was given the green light while Chelbury Homes got the thumbs down for its application to build penthouse apartments on the roof of Hill Paul.

The Nailsworth decision marks the end of a long-running battle which begun in December 2000 when the council turned down the college's plans.

An appeal upheld the council's decision but it was challenged in the High Court and the inspector's decision was struck down.

Though a detailed planning application would have to be submitted by any developer planning to build on the land off Nympsfield Road the council's decision has approved the idea in principle.

Chelbury's plans for four apartments on top of Hill Paul were thrown out on the grounds that the design was not in keeping with the building and the additional building would be too large.

The apartments were set to market at over £200,000 each and would have added considerably to the profitability of the scheme.

For more Stroud stories see this week's SNJ.