STROUD District Council’s decision to reject planning permission, for the demolition of an existing 1970s monastery building and erection of 10 mansions in Cranham, has been upheld following an appeal.

The Planning Inspectorate rejected the appeal, made by John Nettleton on behalf of Edward Blake Limited, following a hearing on November 14.

A 12-strong community of Benedictine monks abandoned the Roman Catholic monastery in 2008 and moved back to their nearby home, St Peter's Grange.

After years of lying empty the religious building was sold to Tetbury-based developer Edward Blake Ltd.

In 2015, with the full backing of the monks, plans were submitted to knock down their 1972 monastery and make way for the luxury development which included 10 three-storey houses, with price tags of several hundred thousand and a million pounds.

These were denied by Stroud District Council on December 17, 2016 with planners raising concerns over scale, impact, sustainability and ecology.

Following this decision an appeal was submitted but was rejected on December 11, 2017.

Inspector Mr Porter believed there were two main issues proposal, these were;

• If the proposed development would be in a suitable location, having regard to the site’s position outside of the settlement development limits.

• Whether there are other material considerations, particularly in relation to the enhancement of the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and to the setting of the Grade I Listed St Peter’s Grange, sufficient to outweigh any harm or conflict with policy in relation to the above matter.

Mr Porter believed the benefits of the proposed development were far too few in comparison to the negatives which would include harm to the environment.

He said: “The totality of the benefits in favour of the proposal, including gains to housing supply, and social and economic development are modest.

“On the other hand, the proposal would result in significant environmental harm, to the open countryside, AONB landscape and to the setting of a heritage asset.

“Therefore, because of the overall conflict with statutory duties, local and national planning policy, I do not consider that there are any material considerations, nor wider public benefits, sufficient to outweigh the harm or to justify a decision other than in accordance with the development plan.

“For the reasons given above, I conclude that the appeal should be dismissed.”

Owner of the neighbouring Bird and Deer Park, Melanie Meigh, whose father opened the park in 1973, was delighted with the decision.

"Everybody is thrilled that these unnecessary, expensive mansions will not be built," said Melanie.

"I've always said the idea of these mansions were built on greed and that the monks should be giving back to the community.

"The Abbey could be used to do some real good and help people who are less fortunate, not just benefit the wealthy.

"The Abbey is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and is Grade One listed so developing it for the sake of a few is not an option."