Podsmead champion Ashley Green has quit his community roles following refusal of the estate's £45million regeneration plans.

He has stepped down as chair of Podsmead Big Local and resigned as a director of Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, saying it is a "very sad day" for residents.

A driving force behind change in the area, he said he no longer felt able to continue after councillors voted down the pivotal plans on Tuesday (July 2).

They aimed to breathe new life into the estate which is considered one of the most deprived in England.

But a planning committee decided the application by Gloucester City Homes (GCH)  would be a "nightmare" for existing residents and result in the loss of too much green space.

GCH, which worked on the proposals with the council for eight years, said it was "hugely disappointed" that the once-in-a-generation opportunity had been lost.

Mr Green, who is a former chief executive of GCH, said quitting his roles was a "reluctant" decision and not one he had taken lightly.

He has worked with Podsmead Big Local to support the community, organise events and fund projects and was helping blend its work with Blackbridge Community Benefits Society.

He said: "I do not feel able to personally continue to invest my time in the community, knowing that this decision essentially closes down any hope for a positive future for the people of Podsmead that many dedicated people work so hard for.

"This was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Podsmead and the wider city that would have brought massive investment by Gloucester City Homes and significant opportunities to one of the most deprived areas of the city.

"This decision, in my view, will continue the cycle of deprivation and social exclusion that has existed for many years and for far too long.

"This is a very sad day for the residents of Podsmead."

He posted the news on LinkedIn where his peers agreed the decision by the council was "short sighted", "a big opportunity missed", "devastating" and "baffling".