Developers have been given the go-ahead to build industrial units
on the site of the Golden Crunch factory in Cheltenham.
The factory in Prestbury Road has been empty for years and is
derelict and the owners, trustees of W Allen Settlement want to
build five light industrial units on the land.
Planning permission was refused by Cheltenham Borough Council,
but after a public inquiry planning inspector Jeremy Eagles has
granted permission.
His report says: "The main issue in this case is the effect of
the proposed development on the living conditions and security of
the occupiers of adjoining dwellings."
Most of the residents of Overbrook Drive, whose houses back on to
the site were worried because plans show the new units would be
placed right up against their back fences, and would block out light
from their gardens and houses.
Mr Eagles dismissed that concern, saying: "While the proposed row
of three units would lie close to the rear boundaries of the gardens
of 35, 37 and 39 Overbrook Drive, the blank rear wall would contain
no openings and the low eaves would rise only a short distance above
the level of the boundary fence.
"I accept that Unit 3 would be closer to the common boundary with
No 35 than the rear part of the existing factory but there is
unlikely to be an unduly overbearing effect."
Resident Melanie Thomas organised a petition of 23 residents
against the units and told the inquiry her property would be less
secure, with people able to climb over her fence.
The inspector's report said a "reasonably robust" boundary fence
would ensure that the site would not become an easy route for those
seeking to break into the rear gardens.
Mr Eagles made a condition that the developers got approval for
such a boundary.
Mrs Thomas said: "There are going to be a lot of very unhappy
people here."
The site owners must still agree landscaping and external
building materials and designs of bin and bike shelters before work
can start.
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