Huge plans for 2,550 homes and new schools near M5 on outskirts of Gloucester

Major plans to build up to 2,550 homes on the outskirts of Gloucester have been submitted. Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd wants to develop more than 320 acres of land at Whaddon.

The scheme includes a primary and secondary school, a community centre, transport hub open space and enhancement to Daniels Brook. The proposals which will be considered by Stroud District Council planners include drainage infrastructure, parking and supporting infrastructure and utilities, and creation of the new access points from the A4173 and one new access from Naas Lane.

The Whaddon Grange comprises large agricultural fields subdivided with stock fencing and sparse hedgerows. The site is bound to the west by the Bristol to Gloucester railway line and beyond this lies the Waterwells employment area and the Kingsway residential area.

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To the north is Grange Road and the neighbouring residential area of Tuffley. To the east is the A4173 Stroud Road and the settlements of Whaddon and the northern part of Brookthorpe. The south of the site is bounded by the M5 motorway and Naas Lane. There is likely to be strong formal opposition to the scheme from nearby residents who are concerned the road network will not cope with the extra houses.

Last year, City MP Richard Graham voiced his concerns and said the scheme should be opposed with “full force” if it ever came forward. “We are not nimbys,” he said at the time. “I’ve supported a whole bundle of planning applications but that one would be really damaging to all the traffic systems.

“The traffic clog up around St Barnabas would be massive. There are other problems as well. The inspector has said you cannot think about developing there until junction 12 of the M5 is improved.”

Taylor Wimpey says the site forms most of the land at Whaddon strategic allocation site

Taylor Wimpey says the site forms most of the land at Whaddon strategic allocation site. “The site has been promoted for a number of years as an inherently sustainable location to deliver housing growth within the local housing market area,” they said in the cover letter.

“It must be recognised that the joint core strategy (JCS) was adopted with a substantial shortfall in respect of identifying allocation sites to meet the full housing needs of Gloucester City, and hence the JCS Inspector provided clear direction both in relation to land at Whaddon and the necessity for the JCS authorities to embark on an immediate review.

“As such, the application is responding to an existing unmet housing need, as well as the future needs of the wider Stroud/Gloucester housing market area.”

People wishing to view and comment on the proposals can do so by visiting Stroud District Council’s online planning portal here and searching for application S.23/2428/OUT. The consultation deadline is February 21 and planners are expect to consider the proposals by March 26.