Plans to build 58 homes on the former playing field of Pittville School in Cheltenham have been approved by the Borough Council’s planning committee. The roughly five-acre site off Albert Road received unanimous consent during the meeting held on December 18.
The proposal by Newland Homes faced significant opposition, including 30 objections from local residents and concerns raised by Prestbury Parish Council. The parish council highlighted issues such as the absence of community and recreational facilities on-site and safety worries linked to access via Broad Acre Road, a narrow residential street. They also warned that the additional traffic generated by the new homes could exacerbate congestion on Broad Acre Road and New Barn Lane.
Catherine Sheppard, planning manager at Newland Homes, addressed these concerns at the Municipal Offices, emphasizing that the site has been redundant since 2009 and had previously been granted planning permission in 2021. She noted that proceeds from the land sale would fund a new sports hall for Pittville School.
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Sheppard highlighted that 40 percent of the new homes would be affordable housing. The development will also include open green spaces and ecological enhancements such as hedgehog corridors, bird boxes, and bat boxes to support local biodiversity.
The developer stressed their commitment to sustainability, explaining that homes would feature solar panels and air source heat pumps, resulting in a net reduction of carbon dioxide emissions.
Council members were largely supportive. Councillor Simon Wheeler described the proposal as having “everything going for it,” and Councillor Glenn Andrews called it “about as good a plan you could get on this plot.” Both expressed their intent to back the development.
Following the discussion, the committee voted unanimously to approve the project, paving the way for the transformation of the former school playing field into a new residential community.