It might be called Gloucester Business Park, but the Brockworth site is actually on Tewkesbury Borough Council’s patch - and the council’s just approved the latest investment for a major business.

Borough planners have backed the proposals for a new supermarket on a northern plot of the business park, which was once an airfield and site of a factory making iconic aircraft such as the Hawker Hurricane, Gloster Gladiator, and the Gloster Javelin.

The scheme, by the British arm of the German discount supermarket Lidl, includes a 1,975 sqm store and will have 118 car parking spaces including 12 parent and child spaces and seven accessible parking bays along with six electric vehicle bays and cycle parking.

The new store is expected to create up to 40 new jobs and the proposed opening hours would be from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays.

Rosie Meehan, regional head of property for Lidl Great Britain, called on Tewkesbury Borough Council’s planning committee to approve the scheme.

“Despite previous permissions and extensive marketing over 30 years for employment uses and while all surrounding employment land has been developed and successfully let, this site has never come forward for development,” she said.

Meehan also said the land’s constrained nature had limited its viability.

“The proposal before you represents a sustainable and productive alternative use,” she said.

Councillor Mary Jordan (I, Churchdown St John’s) asked if biodiversity improvements associated with the development could be provided locally.

Officers said they could be elsewhere and there was a suggestion some of the improvements might be in Malvern, but there would be a formal process related to this.

Councillor Matt Dimond-Brown (G, Tewkesbury South) said parish councils in Brockworth and Hucclecote asked for genuine improvements in bus provision serving the site.

“This application talks about an upgraded shelter and real time information,” he said.

“That’s about furniture not service. What is the current bus service to this particular site and what improvements could be made?”

Officers said the bus services are “interesting in this area” because Gloucester Business Park is currently unadopted but there are regular services running through the site.

“The nearest of which is just north of the Lidl site on the approach to Tesco, there’s a bus shelter there ” a highways officer told the meeting.

Strategic planning is seen hugely important in securing the vital infrastructure and services needed to meet a 43,000 new homes target in Gloucestershire.

A strategic and local plan (SLP) is being developed jointly for Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury to help guide development in the coming years.

Last year, the area saw an increase of more than 20 per cent in the total number of homes the Government wants to see built over the next two decades with around 43,000 new homes needed across the three districts.

Sites for approximately 20,000 have been found so far but there is a shortfall of around 23,000 homes which needs to be addressed by the strategic and local plan.

The vast majority of these new homes will be built in the borough of Tewkesbury as Cheltenham and Gloucester do not have enough land – and councils have a legal duty to co-operate with neighbouring areas.

Tewkesbury Borough Council leader Richard Stanley (LD, Cleeve West) says the SLP will allow councils to plan where this development should go and what improvements are needed.

Without such a plan in place, developers would be able to build in non-sustainable places which lack the necessary infrastructure.

“The SLP will help guide how our area will grow over the next 20 years,” he said.

“New housing is coming forward, and the SLP allows councils to plan where this development should go and what infrastructure is needed, such as roads, schools, and healthcare.

“Without an agreed plan, development will be led by developers, and potentially in non-sustainable locations, without the supporting infrastructure communities need.

“The SLP is important as it helps ensure future growth is coordinated and sustainable.”

Residents and businesses in these areas can review evidence on the SLP’s dedicated website.

The full SLP engagement runs until June 2026, with pre-submission of the plan to the Government in July, and the final submission expected in October or November this year.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Stroud’s much-loved Stratford Park lido could reopen this summer after civic chiefs agreed to look at doing the essential repairs needed to make it safe as soon as possible.

Opening the outdoor swimming pool for this summer in its current state is deemed to be too dangerous for its users.

However, Stroud District Councillor agreed last night (April 16) a way forward which could see the site open in time for the school summer holidays.

Three major hazards were found during a risk assessment conducted at the site in February this year.

These include several cracks in the concrete on the poolside directly beneath and next to the diving board. And the survey found excessive corrosion in the pipework and the pool tank.

Council chiefs estimate a £5.1 million upgrade is needed to make the lido sustainable for the long term.

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Stroud-headquartered ecological consultancy Wildwood Ecology has been bought after a year of “huge growth” by rival the Ecology Group.

The ecological partner for architecture and planning businesses has delivered impact statements for clients across the county and into Wales and has worked with organisations including the National Trust, McLoughlin Planning and local authorities.

Wildwood’s managing director Richard Dodd described the move as positive for the business which is based at Brimscombe Mill Business Park and employs more than 20 staff.

Dodd aid: “Joining the Ecology Group is a great opportunity to continue that growth, exploring new areas and enabling us to deliver outstanding client-focused services to more people.”

Wildwood Ecology certified as a B Corporation in 2019 and also picked up our first Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) award as Small Consultancy of the Year.

It has since been awarded the title in 2021, 2023 and 2025.

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There are calls for residents to have more of a say on the future of Gloucestershire Airport in the form of a citizens’ assembly.

Plans to sell the 375-acre site in Staverton, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, fell through earlier this month after more than eight months of negotiations.

Horizon Aero Group, the preferred bidder, was unable to raise the capital required to complete the purchase of the site.

The councils are now exploring a number of potential options for the airport but there is not expected to be any immediate impact on the day-to-day operation of the airport or the businesses based there.

And council chiefs say their main priority with the airport now is to maintain its operational continuity and support the many aviation-related businesses based at the airfield.

But Green Party councillors in Cheltenham believe a citizens’ assembly should be set up to allow residents to have their say on the airport’s future.

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There are growing questions over the cost incurred in the failed attempt to sell Gloucestershire Airport as council chiefs aim to cut operating losses while supporting the site’s aviation businesses, writes Carmelo Garcia.

It was confirmed last week that plans to sell the 375-acre site in Staverton, which is jointly owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucester City Council, had fallen through.

It took more than eight months to arrive at this point but council leaders at both authorities say their main priority now is ensuring the airport can continue to operate.

Horizon Aero Group, the preferred bidder, was unable to raise the capital required to complete the proposed purchase of the site, despite being granted additional time to do so.

City Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said maintaining operational continuity at the airport is the council’s priority while the next steps are carefully considered.

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Villagers turned out in force to oppose “absolute madness” plans for a new town near a traffic pinch point on the outskirts of Gloucester.

More than 50 people packed Churcham Primary School to voice their opposition to the Forest of Dean District Council’s local plan.

The new blueprint will set out where new development can take place over the next 20 years.

The council has been set a new target by the Government and the latest local plan aims to provide more than 13,000 homes over that time, with the creation of two new settlements being proposed to help meet the target.

One would be off the A40 in Churcham with 2,000 homes and the other off the A417 in Redmarley with 3,500 dwellings.

A proposal that’s sparked strong opposition from residents in both areas.

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Residents will have to pay higher council tax bills, and charges for on-street parking and residential permits from April as Gloucestershire County Council has approved its budget for the upcoming financial year.

The Liberal Democrat administration’s plans for 2026/27 include a revenue budget of £698m to pay for services such as social care, roadworks, waste disposal and education.

Councillors today (February 18) backed the plans which means the proportion of the annual council tax bill for a band D property which goes towards Shire Hall services will rise to £1,763.46 up £83.81 from this year.

This is based on a 4.99 per cent increase made up of a 2.99 per cent in general council tax increase and a two per cent increase for adult social care.

The total bill for households will be higher as it also includes the fee for the police, district councils and parish and town councils where applicable.

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Gloucestershire B Local, which exists to support and showcase B Corps across the county, has just published a packed calendar of events over the next two months aimed at doing just that. The series of webinars will tackle everything from the future of the workforce to the latest updates on B Corp standards, motivating behaviour change for sustainability action and best practice. More information, all of the dates and links to find out more are below.

Webinar - The workforce of the future (25 Feb 12.30-1.30pm)

1. Film showing - Common Good in Stroud (4 March 7pm)

2. Webinar: latest updates on new B Corp standards (11 March 1-2pm)

3. Webinar: motivating behaviour change for sustainability action (25 March 12.30-1.30pm)

4. B Local resources

• Webinar - The workforce of the future (25 Feb 12.30-1.30pm)

Gloucestershire B Local is hosting a best practice webinar on what the workforce of the future might…

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There are plans to build a new six-storey building with 141 flats in what is seen as the missing piece of the regeneration of Gloucester Docks.

The Canal and River Trust, in partnership with development company bloc, wants to build the new homes at West Quay between Llanthony Road and Severn Road.

The proposals, which have now been submitted to Gloucester City Council, would provide a mix of one and two bedroom apartments specifically for rent.

The existing warehouse would be refurbished and used as a multi-use social space with gym, games area, parcel storage and reception.

Two older industrial buildings will be demolished as part of the project to make way for the new homes.

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There are serious concerns that building thousands of new homes near Gloucester will worsen the rush hour traffic “gridlock” on the A40.

District planners in the Forest of Dean are proposing the creation of two new settlements to help meet their 12,000-home housing target.

Councillors approved consulting the public on their blueprint at their meeting last week.

And the local plan will set out where new developments should take place in their area until 2045.

However, villagers are concerned over the lack of infrastructure available to cope with the extra homes.

One of the new towns could be at Churcham with 2,000 homes.

There is also a concern about the potential for more than 2,500 homes at nearby Highnam to be included in the upcoming strategic local plan for Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham.

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An investment of £279 million has been announced in Gloucestershire that will create a new “cutting-edge” home for the Army’s cyber regiment.

The project for the Duke of Gloucester Barracks near Cirencester will see the military’s cyber-focused personnel benefit from new modern accommodation and specialist training facilities.

The multi-million contract, signed on January 15, will see the creation of specialist modern facilities for 13 Signal Regiment at South Cerney with 248 single living accommodation rooms as well as 30 homes for service personnel with families.

It’s claimed the development will also boost the local economy, creating 92 jobs, demonstrating defence as an engine for growth, according to Defence Minister Luke Pollard.

It will also include opportunities for ex-military and 32 apprenticeships, with structured training programmes, helping boost defence as an engine for growth.

The work at the site will include brand new technical and training buildings for personnel, as well as modern accommodation.

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One hundred and twenty five staff are waiting to hear their fate after the owner of the Gloucester factory they work in announced this week it was exploring plans to close the operations.

Brockworth-based Invista, owned by American giant Koch Industries, said if it went ahead with it's proposal it would move operations to its base in Kingston, Canada, and also be exploring sites in China.

The intention, according to the business, would be “to strengthen its global operating footprint and position the business for long-term competitiveness”.

It would bring to an end operations on a site which was famously once part of the Gloster Aircraft Company, which opened more than 100 years ago and produced military aircraft for the Second World War and the first ever British jet plane.

Brook Vickery, INVISTA president and chief executive officer, said: “These proposals are not a reflection of their performance or commitment, but rather a response to today’s market env…

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It seems like a lifetime ago. Back in 2018 the Gloucestershire-based co-founder of a high-flying county engineering firm was escorting Theresa May on a three-day trade visit to China.

All seemed rosy with the fast-growing firm, which had also become a darling of the Alternative Investment Market.

In 2021 there was another high-profile deal, if only for those who followed the firm here in Gloucestershire and were fans of fashion brand Superdry, when the two firms agreed to work together.

And then everything changed. Neil Ricketts, founder and also chief executive officer of Versarien plc, as well as part of the successful Gloucestershire’s local enterprise partnership team at GFirst LEP, resigned from his position in March 2023.

Since then it has been a different story for the business, which until then appeared well-positioned to capitalise on the incredible properties of wonder material graphene.

Fast forward to now and this week we learned that the Forest of Dean-headquartered business has appointed administrators.

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The French state-owned energy company is looking to turn its  former offices at Barnett Way in Barnwood into homes and business use.

The firm relocated to Gloucester Business Park in 2021 and they have now asked Gloucester City Council for a screening opinion to determine whether the development would need an environmental statement.

The company intends to submit an outline planning application, with all matters reserved, except for the main access points.

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Already adorned with more achievements than he could possibly toast and remain standing, it is perhaps a measure of how much winning a gold at World Cider Awards 2025 means to Julian Dunkerton that he staged a huge party to celebrate.

The businessman synonymous with the creation of the Superdry clothing brand is a well-known serial entrepreneur, and one of those enterprises is Dunkerton’s Cider.

He moved the family business, founded in 1980 by his father and stepmother in Herefordshire, lock, stock and barrel to his Dowdeswell business park back in 2016 and set about building popular venue around it.

That venue, Dunkerton’s, is already a hit – and now the business’s Black Fox Cider is as well – named in an awards ceremony recognised for celebrating the very best in cider-making excellence.

Dunkerton was not the only well known face to be a the party last week to celebrate the accolade.

Adam Henson, of TV show Countryfile, who also runs Cotswold Farm Park, was also there along with comedia…

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There are questions over how long Gloucester council chiefs have known about the “financial catastrophe” they are in amid fears the public are being taken for ‘fools’ and “drip fed information”.

Gloucester City Council revealed last week that they are in need of a bailout loan from the Government of up to £17.5m.

If they do not secure this funding, the council would effectively become bankrupt.

Council leaders have agreed a financial recovery plan to deal with the issue which has come to light after accounts from previous years have only recently been checked by external auditors.

However, there are questions over how long key people at the authority have known about the predicament the council is in.

Finance chiefs are understood to have been in talks with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government about the possibility of securing exceptional funding support.

Read more: City Council needs £17.5m Government bailout loan to avoid bankruptcy

And Conservative Councillor Sajid Patel (Barton and Tredworth) asked about the council’s “financial catastrophe” at a cabinet meeting (Wednesday, December 10).

He said he was concerned council chiefs were only briefed about the “dire” financial situation of the authority on November 26.

He asked if the council was “gameplaying” and “drip feeding” information while taking the public for fools.

“That was a day after we had a special meeting in this chamber where we debated and discussed the issue around the £1.5m black hole,” he said.

“Isn’t it just a bit of a coincidence you only found out a day after we had that special meeting?

“Or is there some gameplaying going on here where you are drip feeding us information and you think we are fools and the public out there as fools.

“It sounds to me like you already knew and the timing of it is beyond belief.

“Is it a coincidence also this timeline was around the time of the local government reorganisation proposal that you have had the senior management working on for the last 11 months?

“If there is gameplaying going on, it needs to stop now.”

Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said they were briefed on November 26 with the “full impact of what the situation was”.

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There are concerns the sale of Gloucestershire Airport could fall through amid questions over the deal.

Gloucester City Council and Cheltenham Borough Council are in the process of selling the Staverton airport, which they jointly own, to their preferred bidder Horizon Aero Group.

Council leaders announced in July that the 375-acre site which includes two thriving business parks and planning consent for an additional 30,000 square metres of business space who they would sell the site to.

In September, City Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said he was hopeful the airport would be sold by Christmas.

However, there has been speculation that the sale may be in trouble.

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