A MIXED development in Cam of shops, houses and flats has been given the go-ahead, much to the delight of the parish council.

Stroud District Council planners resolved not to refuse the application for Chapel Street at their meeting on Tuesday, leaving the finer points of the application to be worked out between planning officers and the developers.

Cam council chairman Dennis Andrewartha was delighted. "I am ecstatic," he said.

"It is on the move at last. The people of Cam in the main will be delighted.

"After ten years of work this is the result of many meetings and many discussions."

The site is on derelict land between Noel Lee Way and Rowley.

The developmment will include five units for commercial use and 14 homes.

Of those homes, 11 will be houses and three will be flats built above the commercial units.

The main feature of the development will be the community building, which will become the parish council's new home.

Much of the existing car park on Noel Lee Way will be retained and there will also be a cart shed-style garage built to serve the homes.

Planning officers were in favour of the development and recommended that members resolved not to refuse.

Principal planning officer John Longmuir said in his briefing to members: "This is a very good scheme for Cam."

Members spent time discussing the necessary traffic calming measures that will have to be agreed, but Mr Longmuir pointed out that traffic matters relating to the Lister Petter site are ultimately expected to "relegate Chapel Street to a minor artery".

During debate Cllr Andrewartha said: "The scheme will help to increase activity in Cam."

Afterwards jubilant Cllr Andrewartha told the Gazette: "Now we can look at when things are going to happen and in what order.

"Building could start in three or four months time and we hope the shops, houses and council resource centre will be occupied by Spring 2006."