Plans to build 113 homes in Bishop’s Cleeve have been given the go-ahead.
Tewkesbury Borough Council has approved Cotswold Homes’ scheme to develop the former Nortenham allotment site on land west of the A435.
The 9.6-acre estate will include a mix of home sizes ranging from one-bedroom to four-bedroom properties.
Overall, 39.82% of the properties will be affordable homes – 45 of the 113.
The proposed houses would predominantly be two storeys in height and there would be one bungalow.
The homes will be built with a palette of materials including different bricks, render and cladding.
Parish councils in Bishop’s Cleeve, Gotherington and Woodmancote opposed the plans saying the area has had 1,000 new homes built since 2012 and local services are struggling with the extra demand.
Residents also objected over concerns the homes would have on wildlife, the community losing its ‘village feel’ and the and being better suited to a new school.
However, planning officers recommended approving the scheme as its benefits, which include the provision of affordable housing, outweighed any harm from the development.
Councillor Richard Stanley (Lib Dem, Cleeve West) said: “Many of us had hoped the Nortenham allotment site could be kept for community use, but the previous decision to include the site in the emerging Tewkesbury Borough plan for 85 dwellings made it very likely that the planning committee would approve the development despite opposition from the community – including the parish council.
“I spoke at the committee meeting to raise my concerns about the junction onto the busy A435 bypass and the issue of pavements that will end unconnected to the neighbouring Clevelands development and medical centre.
“It’s vital that neighbouring developments connect properly so that everyone including wheelchair users can access and travel without barriers.
“I was surprised to hear county highways say they had no concerns about the junction, but I welcomed the discussion with the developer Cotswold Homes who have assured me they will do all they can to ensure the site’s pavements are fully connected.”
By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter