A THIRD bid to build a house in a former pub beer garden which boasts stunning hilltop views over the Severn Valley has been rejected by planners.

Owner Keith Bell wanted permission for a single storey bungalow opposite the former Royal Foresters Inn on Littledean Hill Road on the outskirts of Cinderford.

The applicant was allowed to convert the 190-year-old former pub and its parking area into flats and homes five years ago, on condition that the beer garden was turned into a proper amenity space for residents, complete with a pond, planting, bird boxes and a bat roost.

But the garden, which is right next to a narrow right-angled bend onto Causeway Road, is currently overgrown, while neighbours say that any development would spoil an historic view from the road stretching for miles.

Mr Bell said his latest plan for a ‘green’ flat-roofed bungalow partly set in the ground at the top of the hill was significanty revised from previous schemes, and people on the road would be able to see over the top of it.

But turning down the latest application for a ‘very prominent location… at the top of the ridge’, planning officer Roland Close said the site was outside the Cinderford settlement area in open countryside, and the visibility for cars entering and exiting the site, which is close to Forest High School, was ‘severely sub-standard’ and ‘prejudicial to highway safety’.

He also noted that the landowner had not landscaped or maintained the beer garden for ‘reasonable use’ by the occupiers of the flats.

A report supporting the application for a ‘modern, contemporary dwelling’ said ‘adequate other amenity space provision’ had been made for residents on the site of the flats and new homes, but some extra amenity space should be provided as part of the bungalow development.

It added that ‘a contemporary approach’ had been taken to designing the bungalow to address the nature of the plot and to take advantage of the views to the Severn Estuary.

‘It also protects the character of the locality and the amenity of existing residents and the public,’ the report said.

It would be set into the ground to ‘lower its profile’, while a ‘green’ flat roof would allow views from the road.

But a neighbour told planners: “The entrance would be onto a very difficult junction with a blind corner.

“There is a school around that corner so it’s very hazardous at school starting and finishing times in particular.”

She added: “The planning for re-development of the Royal Foresters pub into private dwellings included the statement that this land would be made into a garden for the use of the residents. Is this not going to be enforced?

“There has always been a moratorium on building on this side of Littledean Hill Road because of its unique aspect, which is preserved for everyone to enjoy.

“If planning is granted it will open the flood gates and this wonderful, unique part of our wonderful forest will disappear for ever.”

Another objector said having a driveway so close to a blind bend was “quite ridiculous”.

A third resident, who said the site was on “a very dangerous corner”, added: “This is a beauty spot with views over the Severn valley to the Cotswolds which Cinderford people have, for generations, walked up to, taken a breather and gazed at the view… once this green space is gone, it is gone forever.”

Littledean Parish Council also opposed the scheme, saying it was outside the Local Plan area and shouldn’t be built on.