'CONTROVERSIAL' plans to demolish a closed car dealership described as an 'eyesore' and build more than 30 homes have been rejected. 

The proposed redevelopment of the former Ford dealership site in London Road was unanimously rejected by councillors at Stroud District Council during Tuesday's Development Control Committee. 

The failure to 'secure sufficient affordable housing' has led one councillor to say that developers cannot 'expect to ride roughshod' over the council's policies. 

In May plans were submitted to SDC to build 35 residential dwellings at the former Bristol Street Motors site which closed in July last year.  

According to the plans the properties would entail 9 three-bed houses, 17 two bed apartments plus 9 one-bed maisonettes. 

There would also be 45 parking spaces - 26 to be allocated for flats/maisonettes, 18 for houses and 5 for unallocated visitors. 

Proposals also included two vehicular access points - one off London Road and another off Arundell Mill Lane plus open space. 

A planning document - explaining why the plans were refused - was released on Thursday. 

It read: "The proposed development would lead to the loss of an employment site.

"The application fails to demonstrate that 'wholly exceptional circumstances' exist to justify the loss of an employment site

"It fails to secure sufficient affordable housing.

"The proposal is of a scale, layout and design that is not compatible with the character and appearance of this part of Stroud Town. 

"The application does not provide sufficient information to demonstrate that the proposal provides acceptable levels of amenity to neighbouring properties and the future occupiers of the development."

Lucas Schoemaker, district councillor for the ward, said: "I was pleased that the planning committee unanimously rejected this flawed planning application. 

(Image: Supplied) "While no-one disputes that the derelict site is an eyesore, and that new homes are needed in and around the town, the development proposed was unacceptable.

"Perhaps the biggest flaw was the absence of any affordable housing in the plans.

"This blatantly ignored pre-application advice that made clear to the applicants that 30 per cent of all new developments have to be affordable housing.

"I hope a lesson has been learned: developers cannot expect to ride roughshod over the council’s clear policies and the needs of the community.

"Stroud needs new homes but it deserves better than these inadequate proposals.

Mayor Tony Davey said: "The refusal document shows the magnitude of the problems associated with the application to bring this site back into use.

"While the need to ensure we utilise abandoned brownfield sites is at the forefront of many minds, especially when considering the housing crisis and the need to support the economy with fit-for-purpose employment space, accepting anything is not the answer and simply builds up problems for the future.

"Given that the developers and representatives had met with both the district council and town council to seek advice ahead of the decision, it seems little feedback was considered.

"I look forward to a new application that considers the Local Plan and the valid feedback already received from both authorities and residents."

See the plans - tinyurl.com/wmzzry5v