Fears 4115 homes near M5 will have ‘disastrous’ effect on Gloucestershire villages
Developers planning a 25-acre business park, a hotel, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways - plus more than 4,000 new homes - have united seven Gloucestershire villages against the scheme.
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Major plans to build 4,115 homes near Cheltenham have sparked a strong backlash from more than 110 people along with seven villages amid fears it will have a “disastrous effect” on the area.
Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes’ plans for the new Elms Park development near junction 10 of the M5 is due before Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough planners next week.
The proposal includes 4,115 new homes, almost 60 acres for employment land including a 25-acre business park, a hotel and shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways.
The scheme also includes a public transport interchange, a new primary and secondary school along with sports facilities, woodland, new walkways and cycleways as well as new access onto Tewkesbury Road and Manor Road.
However, the massive development which will stretch from Swindon Village to Uckington and from the Tewkesbury Road to Brockhampton has sparked strong opposition.
Seven parish councils are among the objectors who have concerns the design and appearance of the housing developments, road safety, traffic and parking concerns as well as pollution, flooding risk, overlooking and that the scheme conflicts with planning policies.
The parish councils of Uckington, Swindon, Elmstone Hardwicke, Stoke Orchard and Treddington, Bishop’s Cleeve, Leigh and Leckhampton and Warden Hill have all objected.
A total of 111 people have written opposing the scheme amid fears it will have a “disastrous effect” while only four letters of support have been submitted.
There are fears the major development will lead to a huge increase in traffic and area pollution as well as overwhelming health services and other services.
“The whole scheme is shortsighted and will have a disastrous effect throughout the locality,” one objector said.
“I run on those fields regularly and many others and the degree of water retention on those fields particularly is immense.
“There will be a huge increase in traffic and air pollution. Local amenities will be overwhelmed, especially healthcare and hospitals.
“Such huge developments should be carried out as new towns and therefore be self contained.
“Please see sense and stop this now. But you won’t.”
Another of the objectors said they are really concerned there has been no consultation since the original application was submitted almost ten years ago.
Gloucestershire Constabulary has also objected requesting more funding to cover premises costs.
Consultants working on the scheme say Elms Park will be a new sustainable neighbourhood which will deliver a thriving community.
“It will provide all the necessary facilities and opportunities to live a happy and healthy lifestyle, in a new place that encompasses both proven and innovative technologies and flexible mechanisms for ensuring environmental sustainability,” they said in planning documents.
The Elms Park Consortium, which is led by national housebuilders Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes, said it is pleased the proposals are recommended for approval.
They said the scheme includes more than 1,000 affordable homes, a modern business park, three schools and imprtovements to offiste cycling routes, extensive green infrastreucture and a new transport hub wiht buses into Cheltenham and Tewkesbury.
The scheme also includes a new a new sports hub including tennis courts and an all-weather pitch, new community centre and new Doctor’s surgery.
There will also be around 250 acres of publicly available open space, including a large new park and multiple play areas for younger and older children.
“The proposed development will deliver much-needed housing, and particularly affordable housing, to the region and we hope that the planning committees considers the application favourably,” a spokesperson said.
The development site falls wholly within an area of land allocated for development in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury’s joint planning strategy.
Officers have recommended granting delegated permission subject to conditions.
The decision on whether to approve or reject the scheme will be down to Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough’s democratically elected members at their respective planning committee meetings on May 29.
By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com