A LANDMARK plan which will map out where houses are built in the Stroud district for the next 16 years has been unanimously passed by councillors tonight.

Cheers and a round of applause broke out as district councillors united in support of adopting the Stroud District Council Local Plan.

The decision, which has come after years of wrangling between councillors, means Stroud is now the first district in Gloucestershire to have an up-to-date and comprehensive local plan in place.

"It is a night for celebration," said Cllr Keith Pearson (Conservative, Upton St Leonards).

"I am so pleased that we have got to this point.

"It is the best thing which could have happened to make planning sensible in Stroud."

The overall plan encourages 4,200 new homes to be developed on identified sites by 2031.