Planning officers have told the Blow family they can not erect a palace-sized yurt - and a toilet block - by their listed building in Edge.

Stroud District Council has rejected an application from the family, who own Hilles House, a Grade-II* listed building constructed in the early 20th century now used as a wedding venue, for their yurt, which has a capacity for 250 guests and was first installed in 2014.

The owners of the 700 acre estate overlooking the Severn Vale had been seeking retrospective planning permission for the yurt, disassembled at the moment but due to be put up again in April until October.

However, in a decision notice issued earlier this week, planners said the yurt would impact “negatively on the character, setting and significance” of Hilles House, the building being 8m away from the 39m by 20m by 7m tent.

The planning officer went on to say that “the appearance of a synthetic and man-made structure constructed in such a stark white colour is overly prominent when viewed against the verdant rural countryside backdrop.”

A timber-clad toilet block for guests adjacent to the listed building was also described as “unlawful” by the officer and “an ill-conceived add-on which dilutes the strong and robust character of the elevation.”

McLoughlin Planning on behalf of the Blows had argued in its planning statement that allowing the yurt would boost tourism to the surrounding area and “stimulate economic activity through events hosted there and the companies supplying various services.”

The consultants also said that a large hedge made it difficult to see the yurt from afar, that the yurt and wedding business would provide income to help with the upkeep of Hilles House and keep it as a “centre for cultural activity.”

Hilles House was built between 1914 to 1916 by Detmar Jellings Blow, a famous arts and crafts architect whose clients belonged chiefly to the British aristocracy.

It is now home to his grandson, also named Detmar Blow, who was married to fashion stylist Isabella Blow.