Up to 20 new homes are set to be developed on a parcel of grassland in Bishop’s Cleeve that was originally designated for retail use. The planning application has been submitted to Tewkesbury Borough Council by Spitfire Homes Ltd following a reassessment of the site’s potential, spurred by a lack of commercial interest in establishing shops there.
According to the submitted planning documents, the company states: “Since the original permission was granted, there has been no commercial interest in the retail element of the scheme, reflecting both changes in market conditions and evolving consumer trends away from small-scale local retail provision. This has provided an opportunity to review how the remaining land can best be used to support the needs of the community and contribute to a sustainable, cohesive neighbourhood.”
The development site covers approximately 0.33 hectares on the western edge of Bishop’s Cleeve. Neighboring the site to the east are several industrial units forming part of the Malvern View Business Park, while to the south along Stoke Road lie the Grundon Waste Management Centre and the Cheltenham North Rugby Football Club facilities.
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The proposed residential plan includes a variety of housing types: terraced, semi-detached, and detached homes featuring one to three bedrooms. Additionally, the scheme incorporates two one-bedroom maisonette units and an apartment block comprising three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments.
Of the total, 12 homes would be available on the private market, with eight designated as affordable housing, aiming to meet a broad range of local housing needs.
Prior to submitting the application, Spitfire Homes conducted a public consultation during which residents expressed several concerns. The primary issues included parking shortages, road safety risks, and the potential loss of previously promised local amenities.
In response, the applicant addressed these points in detailed documents submitted to the Borough Council, citing technical surveys and demonstrating policy compliance.
The planning statement concludes: “The proposed development would make a valuable contribution to housing delivery within the Borough, providing a mix of both market and affordable homes. This combination would help to address a broad spectrum of local housing need,” signaling a balanced approach to community growth despite local apprehensions.