Gloucester City Council has given the green light once again for a new housing development of 180 homes in Matson, near the M5 and Winnycroft Lane, with construction set to start in 2026. Originally approved in 2023 amid local opposition, the project now includes amendments to secure funding from Homes England for 136 affordable homes on the Snow Capel site.
Housing association Bromford, a strategic partner of Homes England, will lead the development. In 2021, Bromford received £240 million to help build 4,000 affordable homes by 2028-29, and this project represents a significant part of that commitment. Following council reapproval, Bromford’s internal construction team aims to begin work next year.
The development will feature a range of housing options: 77 homes for social rent, 59 affordable shared ownership homes, and 44 homes for outright sale. The properties will vary from one to five bedrooms, including 11 four-bedroom and one five-bedroom house available for rent. This mix addresses the urgent need for larger affordable family homes in Gloucester.
READ MORE: Developer to Contribute £9m for M5 Improvements, New School, and More as Cheltenham Tech Campus Approval Approaches
READ MORE: Bold Vision for 24 New Homes on the Site of a Tragic Legend
The project has faced controversy due to concerns over its impact on a nearby historic moat, a listed ancient monument. Despite planning officers’ objections, who warned the development would constitute an unjustified expansion into open countryside, councilors voted in favor of the scheme.
Wyn Bevan, Bromford’s Head of Development, emphasized the association’s dedication to providing affordable housing: “Our core purpose is to deliver affordable homes for those who need them. Thanks to Gloucester City Council’s approval of our updated plans, we can begin preparing the site to start work next year.” He added that Bromford’s partnership with Homes England plays a vital role in addressing the housing crisis by delivering high-quality, affordable homes to local communities.
Located on Gloucester’s southern edge, adjacent to the M5 motorway, the development will include energy-efficient features like air source heat pumps and solar panels. The scheme’s centerpiece is an open meadow featuring remnants of a medieval moat, which Bromford plans to enhance with new footpaths and information boards, turning it into a valuable community asset.
Bromford is the largest housing association in Gloucestershire, managing over 10,000 homes locally and developing new projects across the county, including sites in Gloucester, Winchcombe, and Stroud. Recently, it also secured planning permission for another 30 homes in Gloucester. As part of Bromford Flagship, which owns more than 82,000 homes across central, southwest, and eastern England, Bromford ranks as the third-largest builder of affordable homes nationally and the leading builder of social rent homes over the past five years.