Forest of Dean planners have given the go-ahead for Staunton and Corse's garden centre to be demolished to make way for 16 new homes.

Anticipating a positive spinoff for the local economy, the planning bid got the backing of Forest of Dean District Council's development management committee on April 11th.

The development is proposed by Badminton Developments Ltd (who work under the slogan of 'Beautiful Homes Wonderful Locations') and Rockfield Property Group. Planned units will feature a mix of two, three and four-bed houses as well as one-bed flats.

Officers advised the committee that it should be permitted, despite the land falling outside the settlement boundary, due to the council's commitment for providing more housing. 

Staunton's Garden Centre announced closure in May 2021 and is understood to have begun trading in 1988.

Colin Danks, speaking on behalf of the applicant, called on the committee to approve the plan.

He said: "We have worked for two and a half years with officers. We started with pre-application submissions and have gone through multiple changes to get to the scheme we have now."

Ward councillor Philip Burford (Independent, Hartpury and Redmarley) said: "I have no problem with it whatsoever at all. The cherry on the cake is that the local convenience store is likely to be re-opening soon."

He added he hoped the new development would add impetus for local pub, the Swan, to reopen after in closed in 2021.

"Then this part of the village would be properly fixed. It would be great."

Given the support of Cllr Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents, Newent and Taynton), who proposed approval and the seconding of Cllr Simon Phelps (Independent, Westbury-on-Severn), the development received unanimous backing.