CONTROVERSIAL plans for a block of flats on a dangerous road were withdrawn at the last minute.

An application for 12 flats on the corner of Chapel Street, in Cam, was due to be decided at a meeting of Stroud District Council’s development control committee on Tuesday but was suddenly withdrawn.

The news has been welcomed by local residents who have campaigned for the last seven months against the flats, which they say would make the already dangerous road more unsafe.

The applicant Victoria Jennings, who runs the Foresters Bed and Breakfast next to the proposed development, refused to comment on whether a new application would be submitted or if she was dropping the scheme.

She did, however, say: "We are trying to create a beneficial situation for Cam and because of the short-sighted views of one or two local people that situation will be very much worse off. We are trying to improve the road conditions in Cam for the future."

Mrs Jennings had planned to build 12 flats, aimed at the over 55s, and as part of the development she proposed to widen the road on the corner of Chapel Street and Station Road and install a mini-roundabout near Everlands.

However her designs were met with anger from local residents, 56 of whom sent letters of objection to the council, who thought the plans would make the traffic situation worse and that the design was out-of-keeping with the area.

Planning officials at the council recommended the application be refused on the grounds that there was not enough parking spaces, which could result in on-street parking, and not enough amenity space.

Steve Knowlson, a resident in Rowley who has been campaigning against the development, said: "Local residents are disappointed that the application has been withdrawn at this late stage.

"The planning officer recognised that the proposed development had inadequate parking and virtually no amenity space and recommended refusal, which is what local residents have been asking for all along.

"This inappropriate, profit-driven development has caused a lot of concern and upset for many people over the last seven months.

"However we remain determined to fight this insensitive and unwelcome development."