A remote Cotswold coaching inn that reopened this Christmas in the wake of new ownership and refurbishment has been forced back to planners over its plans to offer new 'glamping' accommodation.

Foston's Ash Inn, at The Camp, sits in a remote spot north of Stroud on the B4070 route to Birdlip. The historical inn, believed to have been built around 1800 and owned originally by Nailsworth Brewery, is listed Grade II and is described by CAMRA as "unashamedly food-orientated."

The inn's name is said to have stemmed from Foston, a character who would cheat travel fares imposed at the inn by regularly leaping on his steed over an ash turnpike gate.

Complete with an 80-cover restaurant, the business closed unexpectedly in December 2022, stating "Business closed until further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience called." It subsequently went onto the market for £925,000.

Chef Will Lloyd-Baker then took over and his initial plans for upgrading and refurbishment, through Qauttro Design Architects, were approved by Stroud District Council last year. The scheme, submitted in March, included a new extension, the creation of an outdoor eating zone and alerations to the original bar area in the 19th century pub.

Details for the improvements also included a new, curve-shaped bar constructed from ash, to echo the history of the inn, while the external parking provision was cut from 38 to 28 spaces and a new timber pergola was proposed to create an alfresco covered seating area. The pub's external sign was also redesigned.

An officer report on the initial bid noted: "The applicant has made a commitment to deliver a high quality scheme reflective of the traditional and historic nature of the building and wishes to demonstrate to both the community and local authority how this will be achieved. The works will maintain the significance of the property and its relationship to the road as well allowing for the business to be updated and the reopening of this popular venue."

In backing the two initially unapproved shepherd's huts at the inn, SDC case officer Gemma Davis told planners: "The shepherd huts shall only be occupied as holiday accommodation and for the avoidance of doubt, they shall not be used as permanent residential accommodation."

She added: "The application site is located in an isolated rural location outside any defined settlement limits and remote from services, facilities and amenities. The unrestricted occupation of the units would represent an unsustainable form of development and would be contrary to Local Plan Policies."

As a stipulation to the agreement, the inn has also now agreed to pay £1,274 as a Section 106 agreement to mitigate for the impact on the location's Cotswolds Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation.

Punchline-Gloucester.com has approached the pub for comment.