Council loses planning appeal over changes to Laurie Lee’s childhood home in Slad

A government planning inspector has ruled controversial alterations to the author’s childhood home do not have to be undone by the current homeowners.

This overrules a previous decision from the council that had ordered “visually obtrusive” changes to the interior of Rosebank Cottages in the Slad Valley to be changed.

In March, SDC had ordered Iain Collins to undo alterations to the fireplace, staircase and attic, arguing the renovations had been carried out without proper planning permission.

It said the changes caused the “loss of important historic fabric that added to the character and special interest of the listed building”.

Unhappy with the council’s decision, Mr Collins, who bought the cottage in 2006 having grown up in the village, appealed and took the ruling to the highest level of decision making.

He had always argued the cottage had been in need of major changes to turn it back into a ‘family home’ and that he had always ‘endeavoured to do the right thing for the house’.

This week a planning inspector ruled in favour of his argument, saying the refurbishment was not “harmful to the historical and social significance” of the local landmark.

He granted retrospective Listed Building Consent for the work.

However, Mr Collins' application for costs from Stroud District Council for the planning dispute was thrown out.

Mr Wharton rule that SDC had not acted unreasonably and did not owe Mr Collins any money.

A spokesman for the council said: "We are always disappointed when we lose any planning appeal but the appeal inspector is entitled to arrive at the decision that he has.

“It is pleasing the inspector did not consider that the council had acted unreasonably in refusing the application and defending its decision."

Cider with Rosie was written in 1959 and is a picturesque and pastoral account of Lee's childhood in the village of Slad. Lee died 20 years ago.

He grew up in the cottage with his mother and six siblings.

It is the first book of a trilogy that continues with As I Walked Out One Midsummer Morning (1969) and A Moment of War (1991) and has sold over six million copies worldwide.