Why strategic plan is vital for Gloucestershire as councils plan for 43,000 homes

With the Government increasing the number of homes needed to be built by 20 per cent the development of a new strategic plan for the county is vital it it’s to reach its 43,000 target.

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 thi…