Plans for 300 homes at Sharpness Docks turned down by council

Councillors have turned down plans for 300 new homes, a hotel and leisure attractions at a historic site.

The multi-million pound development planned for Sharpness Docks also included 100 lodges and a campsite.

Concerns were raised over school provision, the environment and the impact on wading birds by Stroud District councillors.

The plans formed part of a development bid by the Canal and Rivers Trust, who put the idea forward nine years ago.

Chair of the environment committee at Stroud District Council, Chloe Turner, told BBC Radio Gloucestershire that there is "acceptance" development will happen at Sharpness Docks, but that the decision came down to the lack of some details in the application.

"It's a site that, in one sense it would be really exciting to see housing come forward there," Ms Turner said.

"We're really desperate for housing in this area but it is a complicated site."

Ms Turner, who is not part of the planning committee, added: "When the committee looked at that application they felt they could see the regeneration benefits but there wasn't enough upside, in terms of there wasn't enough affordable housing on offer, there wasn't any contribution to the local education facilities nor to local libraries."

She said that there were also concerns raised from an environmental point of view due to the fact Sharpness Docks is a "sensitive" site.

"It's on the estuary," Ms Turner said.

"There were a lot of concerns around wading birds and that sort of thing, [the committee] needed to see more plusses before they could give it the go ahead."

A Canal and River Trust spokesperson said: "The Trust is disappointed that our application was refused despite a recommendation from the council's planning team for it to be approved.

"We work hard to look after the docks and surrounding area for the benefit of everyone who uses it and will continue to look at ways to bring about regeneration at Sharpness and make it a thriving, successful place to live, work and visit."

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