Letter to the Editor: I refer to the recent article printed on October 26 2022 regarding the plan to restore a stable at a house near Bream, this relates to myself, Miss Rosalyn Mizen.

The article states that the building “is in a field next to the garden at Paisley House”.

This is in fact incorrect, it is in the garden which was once belonged to Paisley House before it was sold in 2019.

The surrounding fields belong to the farmer Mr Preece.

It also states it is partially built, which is also untrue, it is actually completely built.

It mentions a “plan to restore a stable”, in fact it was for retrospective planning

This piece of land which was once a part of the garden of my parents house was gifted to myself by my late father in lieu of looking after him for 20-years.

When my father passed away this land had to be fenced off to separate it from the main house so it could be sold.

I enclose a copy of my plans that was passed by the Forest of Dean District Council in 2003 (reference (P954/03/FUL) with permission to erect the building.

I am enclosing a photograph of the building to show that it is the same as the plan.

I find it hard to believe that what was acceptable by the planners in 2003 is now “an overly obvious and intrusive feature on the landscape”.

When driving up the lane from Whitecroft to Brockhollands the building can hardly be seen because of hedgerows and trees. When driving down the same road it is shielded by two houses and hardly visible.

On the road from Bream to Brockhollands, it is only visible through a gap in the hedge if you look hard enough.

It can be seen from some of the distant properties in Knox Road Brockhollands, but no one has ever complained about it.

The article states “The distance from the main house would also result in a divorced building that does not relate to the dwelling” this was obviously not a problem in 2003.

I find this rejected appeal for retrospective planning very unfair indeed.

We seem to live in a society where if your face fits and your wallet is fat enough, you can build whatever you like wherever you like and the impact on the local surroundings becomes irrelevant

I have seen many new properties going up in the last few years that are really intrusive to the surrounding areas. It really makes you wonder.

Rosalyn Mizen.

Editor’s note: The details in the article to which Miss Mizen refer were taken from the official report of the planning inspector who determined the appeal.