A PROTEST against the Government's decision to refuse a compulsory purchase order which would have seen derelict Tricorn House transformed was held today, Tuesday.

Concerned residents gathered outside the derelict building in Cainscross to show their support for Stroud District Council's CPO.

One protester climbed onto the roof with a banner proclaiming 'Power to the People' will others, who gathered for a picnic, held banners including 'Tri Harder', 'Land 4 People' and 'Reclaim Tricorn'.

After a three-day public inquiry into the CPO in July, John Denham, Secretary of State for Community and Local Government, said this month that he did not think there was not a compelling case for a CPO in the public interest.

At the picnic, a letter to Mr Denham was signed by protesters, inviting him to come and see Tricorn House, and to personally help SDC remove the blockages to reclaiming the site for business and community.

Martin Large, a member of Stroud Common Wealth, said: "Organisations and members of the community now have the chance to make a renewed a CPO bid.

"This could be a community buy out plan with much needed housing, community facilities, offices and a green gateway to Stroud on the Tricorn House site."