By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
“Remarkable” plans to restore and enhance historic farm buildings next to Flaxley Abbey and create a new restaurant, winery, wine tasting and events venue in the Forest of Dean have been approved.
Peter Cooke, owner of Kingshorne vineyard and winery, has been granted permission today (March 11) by Forest of Dean District Council to go ahead with his proposals for Home Farm next to the historic former Cistercian monastery.
His proposals, which include alterations to the historic buildings, a new car park and the 140-cover restaurant, were debated at a meeting in Coleford today.
Historic England had raised concerns over the car park and its impact on the landscape setting of the abbey.
But officers recommended approving the scheme as they felt its benefits outweighed the negative impact.
Hannah Ramsey, who presented the report, said the proposals would secure restoration and repair of the listed buildings and provide a long-term viable use of the site.
And the scheme would provide a tourism destination which would support the local economy and an increase in the site.
Weighing against the development is the impact on the grade-I listed abbey and the loss of a home, she said.
Mr Cooke spoke at the development management committee and said he was proud to own the site next to one of the most historic buildings in the county.
“The vision for the site is to have a fabulously family-friendly hospitality venue”, he said.
It will deliver a “wonderful visitor experience with wine tasting”, he added. And his redevelopment plans would be done with a “soft touch” and entail the site’s “sympathetic restoration”.
He said he wanted to restore the site to its former glory and the works also include planting additional hedges and trees.
“We plan to restore and enhance the historic Blaisdon plumb orchard,” he added.
Simon Murray, who objected to the scheme, spoke on behalf of CPRE, The Countryside Charity and a group of local residents.
He said a smaller scheme would better preserve the setting of the abbey.
And he raised concerns about extra traffic as the site would be “open seven days a week 8am to 8pm”. And the site would have an events space for up to 100 guests and the restaurant would have up to 140 covers.
He said this could lead to “doubling or perhaps trebling” the traffic on the narrow nearby lanes which are popular with walkers and cyclists.
He asked for a traffic calming scheme to be drawn up to mitigate the risk.
He also called for the speed limit to be reduced in the village to 30mph. Mr Murray asked: “Does it really need a serious accident to address this risk?”
Councillor Simon Phelps (I, Westbury-on-Severn), the ward member, said the site had an interesting range of 18th century farm buildings.
He said the proposals aim to restore and improve these buildings. And he said the applicant is improving the environment.
“This site is of extreme historic importance, being the only abbey within the Forest of Dean district,” he said.
He agreed that there are issues with the road network but overall said he believes the plans merit approval.
Councillor Richard Burton (G, Newnham) said the benefits of the scheme were large and the negatives small. He proposed approving the scheme.
Several councillors spoke echoed these comments in favour of the proposals. Councillor Peter Kyne (L, Coleford) said the plans were a “real asset for the Forest”.
“I will certainly support this application”, he said. And Councillor James Bevan (C, Lydney East) said he would like to congratulate the applicant on going ahead
“It is not just a small thing,” he said. “There’s a lot of money at stake here.
“And I’m sure he will recuperate it There is bound to be local employment. And I’m all for that, local jobs for local people.”
And Cllr Alison Bruce (G, Bream) said the proposals were “very sympathetic” to the setting of the listed building.
She said the car park could be an issue as it could be seen from the abbey.
“That’s maybe one of the compromises people have to make,” she said. “It’s a remarkable proposal.”
Chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) said it was an innovative and interesting application to save the listed buildings.
“I hope it is a success as an event destination,” he said.
He also praised officer Hannah Ramsey for the great work she did in dealing with the complex and detailed application.
The committee voted unanimously to grant planning permission and listed building consent.