Shurdington homes planning appeal dropped

A developer has dropped an appeal over controversial plans to build 350 new homes on the outskirts of Cheltenham.

The Planning Inspectorate was due to look at Newbridge Construction's scheme for houses and a park-and-ride on the borders of Shurdington and Leckhampton.

Campaigners against the scheme said that while they accepted the plans may only have been shelved, they are pleased the appeal has been abandoned.

The developer has not yet been available to comment on the withdrawal.

The scheme, at Brizen Farm, was rejected by Tewkesbury borough planners following fierce opposition from local residents.

The Leckhampton Green Land Action Group was formed to fight the plans, claiming the development would exacerbate flooding problems and traffic congestion on the A46 at Shurdington.

Chairman Kit Braunholtz said: "We're not resting on our laurels, because we know developers will try to do something else, so we're watching very carefully to see what other applications come in."