THERE have been celebrations in Studley after an appeal over a controversial plan for houses was rejected by the Government's Planning Inspectorate.

An application was made to build four houses on brownfield land in Brickyard Lane

Stratford District Council refused to grant outline planning permission and an appeal was made to the Planning Inspectorate against this decision by Katharine Walters.

Ward councillor Hazel Wright, one of the councillors who fought the application, said: "As local Studley councillors we know how much residents value the village atmosphere of Studley and that it is clearly identified as a village.

"Crucial to the identity of the village is the Green Belt, which is there to prevent urban sprawl.

"Therefore when an application was made to build houses in Brickyard Lane we knew that we would have to fight as hard as we could to stop the development. Studley Parish Council presented the strongest objections they could to Stratford-on-Avon District Council which for once was sympathetic to Studley concerns. They were saying quite clearly development in Brickyard Lane will significantly harm the openness of the Green Belt."

She continued: "Defending the character and appearance of the village was one reason why we asked to be elected and we believe was partly why we were elected. The relief to me and Councillor Paul Beaman, when the Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed that it would be inappropriate development was enormous.

"We would like to thank Studley Parish Council for their contribution to this decision We also appreciate the support of residents who over many years have encouraged our views."

The Planning Inspectorate concluded that the proposed development, while consisting of the redevelopment of brownfield land, would have a greater impact on the openness of Green Belt, and was therefore "inappropriate development in the Green Belt, and as such conflicts with the National Planning Policy Framework".