Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council are preparing a joint Strategic and Local Plan which is hoped to deliver growth, manage development and protect the historic and natural environment. If adopted, the new Strategic and Local Plan will replace the existing Join Core Strategy and its policies will be used in the determination of planning applications in the three areas.
Not many areas prepare joint plans so we will be watching this one with great interest.
As part of the first stage of the preparation process, the three Councils are running a consultation which focusses on the issues and priorities that the Strategic and Local Plan should address and asks questions on different topic areas such as the need for new homes and jobs. As part of the consultation, the Council are asking for responses to 4 main questions:
- What should the area be like as a place to live by the end of the plan period? What must we do to deliver this vision?
- What local issues and opportunities should the plan address?
- How much development is needed and are there any priority locations for growth? How could development be delivered in a way that meets the vision for the area?
- How should the Strategic and Local Plan respond to climate change and nature recovery, and how should this be balanced to ensure Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury Borough thrive for our residents, businesses and visitors?
Alongside a consultation on the Strategic and Local Plan, a separate consultation is being run on the methodology used for assessing potential sites for development in the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment.
The consultations provide an important opportunity for residents, businesses and other stakeholders to have an early and meaningful input on the direction of the plan and the type and location of development that it seeks to support. This will influence how the three areas will grow in the future.
The consultation is open from the 16th January 2024 to the 12th March 2024 and more information can be found on the Councils’ websites.
Get in touch with our friendly team to see how we could provide assistance on projects within either of the three areas or if you would like help in forming a response to the consultation.
