A major new blueprint which will set out where almost 44,000 homes will be built over the next 20 years has been endorsed by Gloucester’s civic chiefs.
Council officers in Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury have been working on a strategic and local plan which sets out where development should go ahead in the coming years.
The combined annual housing need for the three areas is around 2,160 homes. And the new plan sets out locations for 43,879 homes and more than 474 acres of employment land to be developed between 2023 and 2043.
In Gloucester, most of the development is planned for empty or disused landmarks in the city. These include the former Wilko store in Northgate Street and the former Argos in Eastgate Street.
Each could accommodate 60 homes.
Part of the land at West Quay is earmarked for 80 homes at the Docks with another 60 proposed for the derelict 67-69 London Road.
The largest housing sites planned for Gloucester are for the former EDF site in Barnwood which could to take up to 295 homes while land south of Homeground Road near Tuffley could take 200 dwellings.
Gloucester City Council debated the plan at their meeting last night (November 10) and agreed to go to the next stage of the consultation process.
Liberal Democrat councillor Sarah Sawyer (Longlevens), who until recently was the cabinet member for planning, proposed that the “excellent” strategic and local plan should move to the next stage.
She thanked officers for “working long days and weekends” to get the plan ready.
“We know that climate change is a big issue for us and I’m pleased to see the plan goes way above the national requirement,” she said.
“Developers will be asked to think about things like the materials they use, how they will ensure homes will not overheat and that they will deliver sustainable development.”
She also said housing developments which champion “walking, wheeling, cycling and public transport” will be prioritised and sites have been chosen because of their transport links.
Cllr Sawyer also said they need to make sure they have the numbers they need for affordable housing.
Labour group leader Terry Pullen (Moreland) also praised the amount of work put into the 1,690-page document and explained how the needs of Cheltenham, Tewkesbury and Gloucester have been “melded together”.
He said it is really important that the plan incorporates the city’s history, culture and traditions.
Cllr Pullen also said an immense amount of work has gone into identifying sites for redevelopment in the city.
“It is really important that we optimise the use of those sites in Gloucester,” he said.
He said he was pleased about the level of public consultation and that young people have been consulted about the proposals.
“In addition to people who already live here, we want people to come to Gloucester, Tewkesbury and Cheltenham.
“And when they come here, we want them to have good job prospects, a happy safe home to live in, appropriate community facilities and effective transport systems.”
He said he is very confident the strategic local plan will achieve that.
Conservative group leader Stephanie Chambers (Quedgeley Fieldcourt) said her group welcomed the innovative approach of bringing strategic and local plans together and praised the officers’ forward thinking and willingness to explore new ideas.
She also said the plan ensures Gloucester will keep its historic identity.
“This plan guides the growth that our communities need, well planned growth, not just more houses but for employment and industry so people can work and live in our county,” she said.
“We want to see mixed communities with appropriate densities, varied housing with intergenerational living, plenty of open spaces and biodiversity that encourages communities to work and support each other.”
She also said the council must ensure more local transport hubs are delivered to give people easy travel across the county with appropriate shelter from hotter summers and the inevitable rain.
Cllr Chambers also said it is hugely important that infrastructure is provided alongside the new housing as the lack of it impacts heavily on people’s lives.
“We must ensure that developers meet the milestones set out in the planning rules for infrastructure,” she said.
And she too was pleased young people were involved in the consultation process.
“This plan covers 20 years so we must listen to the young people in this city,” she said.
City councillors voted to approve the plans for a six-week consultation.
Borough councillors in Cheltenham are due to consider the plan today (November 11) while councillors in Tewkesbury will do so tomorrow (November 12).
If approved, the public consultation is expected to begin on Friday, November 13, 2026.
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter