PLANS to build six retirement homes on a treasured field in the heart of Minchinhampton have been thrown out by a planning inspector.

Blue Cedar Homes appealed after Stroud District Council refused an application for the Lemon Field in Tetbury Street, Minchinhampton in May.

Inspector Paul Griffiths, who visited the site last month, said the main issues were the effect on the character and appearance of the Minchinhampton Conservation Area and, linked to that, the setting of adjacent listed buildings.

He was also concerned about the visual impact on other households in Tetbury Street.

Included in the application were access routes, parking, servicing, landscaping and other works.

In his conclusion, Mr Griffiths wrote: “While I do not doubt that bringing forward new housing in an area that cannot demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites would represent a significant benefit, that benefit, in my judgement, is nowhere near sufficient to outweigh the harm that would be caused to the significance of the designated heritage assets affected.”

The field has been at the heart of a planning row since 2012 when Blue Cedar submitted plans for seven retirement properties.

Residents set up a campaign group called Protect Our Space, saying the field was a valuable community asset.

Their successful fight to save the field featured in one of the first episodes of the BBC 2 series The Planners.

The group swung into action again in the spring when the fresh application for six homes was submitted.