‘Disastrous’ plans revealed for 2,000 homes and new school in Stroud

A planned development of 2,000 homes and a school in the south of Gloucester would be a “disaster”, the city’s MP said.

Richard Graham said developer Taylor Wimpey is due to submit a formal application to Stroud District Council to build 2,000 homes, a school and a park on farmland in Whaddon, Stroud, adjoining Grange Road in Gloucester.

Taylor Wimpey confirmed the proposal to the Local Democracy Reporting Service and added it will consult fully with locals.

The land in Whaddon was not included in Stroud District Council’s local plan, a housing blueprint, when it was approved by councillors last year.

However a briefing note sent to Whaddon Parish Council this month said Gloucester City Council will be unable to meet its housing needs beyond 2029, and council officers are now looking at land in Whaddon and south of Hardwicke to make up for it.

A review of the district council’s local plan is now underway and is progressing through consultation stages.

Mr Graham has written to constituents demanding “vigorous” opposition to the proposed development.

‘WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE THESE HOMES’

Mr Graham expressed concern that the final decision to build the home beside Gloucester would be made by Stroud District Council, “leaving us to resolve traffic, roads, schools, GPs and other health needs”.

Grange Road, in Tuffley, is already expecting 250 more homes after city councillors backed a reserved matters application earlier this year.

Writing to his constituents, Mr Graham said: “I’ve helped focus minds and encouraged creative solutions on every bit of brownfield site I can find in Gloucester – from the Railway Triangle to the old Norville site in Tredworth, unused garages in Matson and Coney Hill, corners of Kingsholm like what is now Roots parts of and Barnwood (like the old Royal Mail Centre by Walls Roundabout), and there’s still more to be done.

“As always it’s about a balance of responsibility to creating new homes for our children and making sure there is the right infrastructure to serve the new residents.

“There is just no way round Grange Road and the railway bridge one way and then Stroud Rd leading to St Barnabas.

“You can’t build a relief road through Robinswood Hill. Gloucester City Council had approved building 250 more homes on its land at northern edge of Grange Road, and that will already stretch road capacity: but another 2,000 plus homes would be a disaster.”

TAYLOR WIMPEY’S STATEMENT IN FULL

A spokeswoman for Taylor Wimpey said: “The land off Grange Road is currently being promoted through the consultation stages of the Stroud Local Plan for approximately 2,000 homes, as well as a community park and new school.

“This follows the recommendations of an independent 2016 report, which identified the site as a sustainable location for the delivery of new homes.

“We will consult fully with the community when preparing a planning application and consider all comments received when formulating our proposals.

“In the meantime, we encourage anyone interested in the proposal to visit the ‘Local Plan Review’ page of Stroud District Council’s website, which includes an initial concept masterplan for the site.”