AN APPEAL has been lodged against Stroud District Council’s decision to refuse planning permission for six retirement homes on the Lemon Field in Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton.

The appeal will be decided on the basis of written representations and a site visit by a planning inspector.

Also included in the application from Blue Cedar Homes are means of access, parking, servicing, landscaping and associated works.

Comments made at the time of the original application will be taken into account.

To withdraw or modify earlier comments or to submit additional views go to planningportal.gov.uk/pcs. Representations must be received by August 29, quote reference APP/C1625/A/14/2222402.

SDC refused the application for several reasons.

Among them were that the site lies within the designated Minchinhampton Conservation Area.

It ruled that the field provides a much-needed area of ‘openness’ within the town, ‘giving the Conservation Area diversity and interest’.

‘The proposal will diminish this openness and harm the character and appearance of the Conservation Area’, it said. It was the second application for the site to be refused.