By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
There is strong opposition to “catastrophic” plans to build homes on a part of the Cotswold wildlife and beauty spot on the edge of Cheltenham.
Waddeton Park Ltd has plans to develop more than four acres of grassland on the south side of Glenfall Way in Charlton Kings.
Cheltenham Borough Council is due to decide the proposals for four self build homes and open space at their planning committee on Thursday (November 20) with officers recommending approval.
But there is strong opposition with almost 100 people objecting amid concerns the development will be “devastating”.
CPRE Gloucestershire, the countryside charity, has also objected strongly to the proposals and believe they should be refused.
Kate Murray, co-ordinator of Save Glenfall Way AONB, said it would be “catastrophic” for local residents to lose the field which is home to “countless” wildlife.
“It is devastating that the developers are back to try and build on this beautiful field, once again,” she said.
“They seem to try every few years. It’s really infuriating as this land is part of the Cotswold National Landscape (previously known as area of outstanding natural beauty) and comes with a high level of protection. It would be catastrophic for the local community to lose this asset.
“It is home to countless wildlife. Once built on it’s gone forever.
“The support is phenomenal and our community’s commitment is to protect our natural treasure.”
Cheltenham Civic Society has also objected.
“There is no need to compromise open countryside and our natural heritage in favour of short-term and very small gains in housing provision,” a spokesperson said.
“This case is all about profit for a single developer.”
The campaign is supported by Battledown councillor Chris Day (LD) who represents the area at the Municipal Offices.
He said as soon as the proposals were submitted he called for it to be considered by the planning committee.
“I felt it important that any decision to approve was taken by elected councillors,” he said.
“Since then I have been working closely with the many residents who, like me, oppose this proposed development in the AONB.
“The UK is one of the most nature-depleted countries in the world, and this field is a precious space for wildlife and nature. The developer admits that their plans will result in habitat loss.
“The local community has come together to show they don’t want this development.”
He said there are many objections to the plans and no expressions of support despite the developer undertaking a neighbourhood consultation exercise to try and sell their plans.
“The AONB has the highest level of protection under planning rules,” he said.
“These rules must be followed.
“I will be speaking against the application to the best of my ability.”
Consultants working for the applicants said the scheme has been carefully designed to respond to the site’s edge of town location within the Cotswold national landscape.
And the proposals would provide for much-needed housing in a sustainable location.
“Key views of the escarpment from Glenfall Way and Ryeworth Road will be maintained and enhanced by the layout of plots tucked into the western boundary as well as the landscaping scheme of the remainder of the paddock,” they said.
“Limited harm to the landscape character through introduction of built form is acknowledged, however the design has taken every step to minimise this as far as possible whilst also taking advantages of opportunities for landscape improvements.”
They also said the council are falling significantly short of their statutory duty to allow sufficient plots to meet demand on their self-build register
“There are extensive further public benefits resulting from the proposals, including the provision of housing in a sustainable location in a district currently experiencing a severe shortfall in the supply of land the re-routing and enhancement of an existing public right of way and introduction of landscape and habitat enhancement leading to significant biodiversity net gain above the statutory minimum.
“These public benefits significantly outweigh any adverse impacts of granting consent for the proposal.”
Councillors will consider and decide the plans at the meeting on November 20.