Decision on major plans for 1,100 homes, new school and GP surgery in Cheltenham
Plans for 1,100 new homes, a school, GP surgery and community centre on the outskirts of Cheltenham, key to a critical new motorway junction, will go ahead.
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‘Extremely critical’ plans for Cheltenham which include building 1,100 homes, a school, GP surgery and community centre on the outskirts of the spa town have been given the go-ahead.
A scheme to develop almost 170 acres of greenfield land near Springbank (North East of Cheltenham) was considered by borough planners on October 21 in both the spa town and Tewkesbury as the site straddles their borders.
The Brighton STM Developments Ltd and Midlands Land Portfolio Ltd plans for the land south of Old Gloucester Road is part of the strategic West Cheltenham development.
The development will reportedly provide £5m in financial contribution towards improvements of junction 10 of the M5.
The scheme includes a community hub of flexible use which would have a footprint of 14,000sqft.
The housing would be made up of a mixture of market and affordable housing and there is the potential for over 55s accommodation.
And a primary school and children’s nursery, convenience shop, as well as public open space for walking and cycling routes as well as sports pitches would be provided as part of the proposals.
Officers recommended granting outline permission as it provides much needed affordable housing in an allocated site.
However, they did say it would not provide the 35 per cent required which in this case would be around 385 homes.
The developer felt that would make the scheme unviable – instead 22.91 per cent of the homes will be affordable which amounts to 252.
Nick Matthews, of Savills, spoke on behalf of the applicant at the Municipal Offices.
He explained the development would provide a mix of different types, sizes and tenders, to meet the diverse need for housing.
He also said the scheme would provide infrastructure which would help the wider West Cheltenham scheme.
Officers said the extent of infrastructure they have to provide to bring the site forward affected the amount of affordable housing the developers could provide.
They said £5m would be provided towards M5 junction 10 improvements and the site includes large roads, junctions as well as a GP surgery, school and sports fields.
Chairman Garth Barnes (LD, College) said the proposals were really critical for the spa town and encouraged members to vote in favour.
The committee voted unanimously to approve the scheme.
Tewkesbury Borough Council’s planning committee also approved the plans earlier the same day.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com