On future development for our area
Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Borough councils have launched a consultation document, called “Developing the Preferred Option”, this will help to inform a Joint Core Strategy (JCS), which is a partnership between Gloucester City, Cheltenham Borough and Tewkesbury Borough councils.
The strategy will set out the three councils’ long-term approach to new development, climate change and the environment up to 2031.
The consultation document looks at the potential number of homes and amount of land for employment use that will need to be provided across the area for the next 20 years, as well as those areas that should be protected and enhanced. The document, which is based on a wide range of evidence, sets out different scenarios through which this may be achieved.
There will a range of exhibitions, presentations and seminars throughout the consultation period, which runs until 12 February 2012. There will also be summary leaflets available at libraries in each area and at each of the council offices. Local exhibitions with members of the JCS team will be held in the Regent Arcade on Friday and 20th Saturday 21st from 10am – 5pm. A Static display will also be available in the Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham: Monday to Friday 9.00am – 5.00pm, Wednesday 9.30am – 5.00pm
Everyone is invited to have their say on the consultation document – comments can be made on a wide range of issues, including the potential locations, the evidence used to produce the proposed housing requirements or on the document itself.
For a full list of planned consultation activities across the three areas, please visit the Joint Core Strategy website.
The consultation document will be published for public consultation and be available to view, download and comment on at: www.gct-jcs.org.
I recognise that with a rising local population we do need new homes, especially affordable homes for the younger generation. However we also need to think about the impact on our local environment and I am concerned that scenarios B,C and D would damage our greenbelt forever where as Scenario A, focuses on using existing brownfield sites, and protects the greenbelt and open countryside around the town.
We also have to work co-operatively with neighbouring local authorities especially Tewkesbury whose council boundary is adjacent to The Reddings. The impact of housing developments near our boundary would be immense through increased traffic and reduced access to places at local schools as well as a loss of wildlife habitat and opportunities for local agriculture and horticulture. I would strongly urge all local residents to make their views known during the consultation period which ends on the 12th February.”