Gloucestershire is entering interesting times in planning terms. The death knell is ringing for Structure Plans and Local Plans due to the introduction of Regional Spatial Strategies and Local Development Frameworks by 2007. This change process has created confusion in Gloucestershire and the election in May did not help matters.

The Government Office for the South West is in conflict with Gloucestershire County Council. The Structure Plan could well go to its third modification and may be abandoned. In the interim, the Forest of Dean Local Plan has been objected to by the Government Office for the South West and we are waiting for Tewkesbury Borough Council, Stroud and Cheltenham Local Plans to be adopted. The Inspector’s Report for Cotswold District Council has recently been released and Gloucester is just going straight ahead with a Local Development Framework. As a result of the uncertainty, a number of recommended sites have fallen by the wayside and the timing of many developments has been delayed.

In the future, at least 60% of new development in Gloucestershire is to be directed to the designated Primary Urban Areas in Gloucestershire, consisting of Cheltenham and Gloucester.

Historically, Cheltenham has exported some of its housing requirement to Bishops Cleeve and remains, as an urban area, tightly hemmed in by the green belt. Gloucester’s major growth has been to the south of the city at Quedgeley, although the focus now is on a number of important regeneration schemes proposed through the newly formed Gloucester Urban Regeneration Company. Looking ahead, long-term housing growth may well be to the north of the city.

Importantly, for the period to 2026, perhaps 50,000 residential units will be proposed for Gloucestershire, and it will be necessary for Cheltenham and Gloucester to identify land within the current green belt designation, if housing requirements are to be met. A strategic green belt review is being progressed further through the Regional Spatial Strategy and Local Development Documents.
Looking at the constraints on future housing development, much of Cheltenham is restricted by Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and Gloucester is constrained by the flood plain. Even so, land has to come forward to yield the urban extensions required.

One of the proposed allocations at Cheltenham in the Tewkesbury Borough Council Local Plan (proposed for adoption this autumn) is at Leckhampton for 360 units. Bruton Knowles is instructed to sell 28 acres immediately adjacent to that proposal. Brizen Farm is now available, and a further 45 acres is also available for a promotional agreement immediately adjoining Brizen Farm.

One of BK’s roles is to identify clients’ land which may, through strong planning promotion, succeed as and when planning policy occurs. These sites are normally purchased, or more commonly taken by way of promotional agreements, by specialist operators.

Scott Winnard can be contacted at BK on 01452 880000, and all strategic land can be viewed on BK’s website.