Planning committee this evening decided that it would be minded to  reject the application to demolish the ridge and furrow and replace it with a petrol filling station.  The committee will not take the decision as the Applicant has appealed on non-determination after specifically begging the council not to determine it last month.  So Councillors at Gloucester city unanimously voted in favour of mindful to refuse on three grounds.  Two around the above ground fuel tanks being unsightly and potentially hazardous / vulnerable to being crashed into.  The Last reason was based around the loss of  a community asset.  The pub was listed as a community asset and therefore affords some protection under planning policies.  Councillor Gordon Taylor chair of planning said “I’m pleased that the whole committee backed this decision it show how much we in Gloucester value our community assets”.  New Councillor Laura Pearsall Said “I’m glad the planning committee are minded to reject this application, as I know most Abbey residents will also be. I do hope when this reaches the Inspector for the final decision to be made, that they take the Council’s points on board, a long with the residents’ views.” Cllr Andrew Gravells spoke at committee against the application at committie and Says “Most people in Abbeydale want to see a Community pub retained on this site, where they can meet their friends and family. To see the pub flattened, and replaced with a Petrol Filling station , with above ground petrol tanks, screened by metal fencing  along Abbeymead Avenue  is most people’s nightmare scenario.  Visually, these plans are a disaster.  They change the pub’s  grassed areas and gardens into a barricaded , unsightly row of above ground metal tanks.  What an eyesore  this great part of Abbeydale could become.  The Inspector will make the final decision and we have asked that it be held in public given how much community interest there has been in the application.  The applicant wanted it to be decided behind closed doors.  The final decision on how the appeal will be heard is down to the inspector as is the decision.