A compromise has been struck between the council and a developer over a green space the latter turned into a car park without permission.

Back in October neighbours to Lewiston Mill in Brimscombe were angered when they spotted an area of bushes and brambles on the site had been tarmacked over.

“I couldn’t believe it when I saw what the developers had done,” Rod Bee, who lives adjacent to the site, said at the time.

“Our local planning policy has been ignored and any objections by neighbours are being ridden rough-shod over.”

It turned out Colburn Homes, which is developing the old mill into flats and offices, had created the car park for its construction vehicles to stop them spilling on to the road.

Once the neighbours alerted Stroud District Council, which had not granted permission for the tarmacking, the developers submitted a retrospective planning application.

And last night it was approved by the council’s planning committee - with the developer offering compensation by improving some of the natural areas still intact on the site.

Martin Whiteside, the leader of the Greens on the council who represents Thrupp, welcomed the compromise.

He said: “While I am disappointed that the whole nature area has not been re-instated, I am pleased that productive negotiations with the property owner has resulted in additional nature gains, including a variety of different types of bird box, for dippers, wagtails and swifts, an otter holt and planting of indigenous plants in the surrounding area.

“Moreover the impervious tarmac on the car park will be replaced with permeable material and with a flood reducing reservoir below.

“This will also reduce the car parking pressure on the already congested roads adjacent to the mill.

“I would like to thank the local residents and parish council who raised their concerns and the council officers who negotiated the improved plans.”

A spokesperson for Colburn Homes said: “While Colburn fully understand and apologise for the error made, the actions were taken to alleviate the pressure on the local highway network.

“We are very pleased to offer the ecological mitigation measures and reach agreement with the planning authority.”