AN planning appeal to site polytunnels at Redhill Farm at Redmarley, close to a path which was used by the Dymock Poets, has been dismissed by a planning inspector.

The news has been welcomed by the Friends of the Dymock Poets, who had raised objections, not least because the path is still popular with walkers today.

Jackie Tweedale secretary Friends of the Dymock Poets said: "This is really good news for the environment and protection of an area closely associated with the poets."

Planning inspector, Tim Wood said the main issue was the likely visual impact on the area.

In his appeal report, he said: "The main issue in this appeal is consideration of the effects of the proposal on the landscape and visual character of the area."

He added that "the design and construction of new development must take into account important

characteristics of the environment and conserve, preserve or otherwise respect them in a manner that maintains or enhances their contribution to the

environment".

Mr Wood continued: "As far as the appeal site is concerned, I consider that its undeveloped nature, forming part of this attractive rolling agricultural landscape, means that it has some value.

"It would be possible to view some or all of the appeal site from sections of the proposed diverted public right of way from Bromsberrow Road, from parts of the diverted route running along the adjacent ridge and as the route descends through the appeal site to its southern boundary."

Mr Wood said: "The Poets Path affords views of parts of the site for some considerable distance from the south. I consider that these views would be considerably and adversely affected by the proposal."

Last year, before the submitted application was considered, the former Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew Motion, waded in with his own views on the value of the unspoilt landscape in question.

He said: "“These are the pathways and fields beloved of the Dymock Poets – the places where Edward Thomas walked with Robert Frost, and where they all in their different ways used the landscape as their inspiration and subject.

" I can just about see the agricultural and financial case for the proposal to cover it with poly tunnels, but really and truly it would be a horrendous act of vandalism to do so. It is one of the most significant literary sites in England, and deserves to be protected for that reason alone – not to mention its particular and outstanding beauty.”