Cotswold District Council has rejected a bid to safeguard a wildflower meadow next to King Charles III's Highgrove Estate from being developed, despite being backed by more than 150 residents.
Longfurlong Greenfields Association wanted to maintain the current use of the fields on the outskirts of Tetbury, but property developer Miller Homes has separate plans to build up to 135 homes on the site, according to local democracy reporter Carmelo Garcia.
The group deems the privately-owned fields as a priority habitat within the Cotswold National Landscape and an important heritage setting – and objections to the homes plan have previously been raised over concerns it would create a 'serious security issue' for the Royal household.
Submitting a planning application ahead of the housebuilder, the association wanted to buy the land and keep it in its current form, with no new additions, allowing the site to continue being used as it has been.
But while councillors supported the group's objectives, they voted to follow planning officers' recommendations to reject the application, due to insufficient information on the proposed layout, access arrangements, long-term management, maintenance, funding and local need.
Speaking on behalf of the 150 local residents backing the plan, Steve Keitley said the scheme sought to protect a 'beautiful piece of landscape for the benefit of all persons who want to continue to enjoy a piece of the Cotswolds which has been undisturbed for many, many decades and probably centuries'.
And chairman of the Longfurlong Greenfields Association, Peter Langford, told councillors: 'What we are asking you to do is approve this application using the common sense members are renowned for.'
Councillor Paul Evans saying he fully applauded the applicant’s objectives, but was wary of the floodgates opening on similar change of use applications.
The committee voted to reject the scheme by five votes to two.
