Plans for outbuilding on green belt approved

The car port will be built at Chestnut Barn in Barrow near Boddington

Plans to build an outbuilding to keep cars in at a home in the countryside have been approved.

Planning permission was sought for two car parking spaces and a small storage bay at Chestnut Barn in Barrow near Boddington by owner Geof Robins.

He said he wanted to be able to store his cars securely, but some council officers voiced concerns over its impact on the green belt.

Tewkesbury Borough Council's planning committee approved the proposals during a meeting on 18 June.

Council officers argued that the extension was deemed "disproportionate", despite another neighbouring property having similar features.

Councillor Mary Jordan also raised concerns about the impact the plans would have on the green belt.

“We either have a green belt policy or we don’t,” she said.

“It will have a visual impact. It does have a spatial impact.”

But Bodding Parish Council chairman, David Lang, spoke in favour of the proposals, adding: "The property is like something from a Country Life article.

"The home and the grounds are immaculate and maintained to exceptionally high standards."

He added that the owners take "great pride" in the property.

Councillor Jim Mason said the whole point of the green belt policy was to stop towns joining together.

"By putting a garage on there you aren't gonna make Gloucester suddenly join up with Boddington or Barrow," he said.

The committee voted to grant permission by six votes in favour, five against and one abstention.