RESIDENTS say they are ‘over the moon’ after proposals for a new house in Cirencester were withdrawn, meaning that a well-used footpath may no longer face the risk of being blocked off.

A planning application for a new four-bedroom house at the back of 35 Somerford Road was submitted to the deciding authority Cotswold District Council (CDC) in June.

However, the plans were strongly opposed by Cirencester Town Council and neighbouring residents.

Access to the new house was likely to be from a woodland footpath near Meadow Road and neighbouring residents, as well as parents and children, who rely on that footpath, were worried that building vehicles would block it during the construction of the house.

There were also concerns about the size of the house and the lack of parking available in the area, which could have led to residents having to park their cars on the footpath or on the double yellow lines on Meadow Road.

Janet Hayes, 66, who lives in a flat in Meadow Close, next to the site of the proposed house, welcomed the news that the proposal had been withdrawn.

She said: “Our footpath will stay a footpath. Everybody is really excited.

“It was just lovely to see so many people turn out to put forward their point of view. They took the trouble to write to the council and took the trouble to come down when the photographer came so people could see we were united.”

Rose King, who is aged in her 70s, added: “I think it’s a very good decision. It will enable us to continue to have our independence to get to places without having the assistance of others.

“I would like to think that maybe our objections have played a part in it for people living around there. I’m over the moon. I can now happily walk my dogs there.”