Plans have been submitted to build up to 20 new homes on a parcel of land west of Fairmont Street in Bishop’s Cleeve, land originally designated for retail development. Spitfire Homes Ltd. has applied to Tewkesbury Borough Council to change the use of this 0.33-hectare grassland site from commercial to residential.
The developer states that attempts to attract retail interest have failed in recent years, attributing this to shifting market conditions and a decline in demand for small-scale local shops. They argue that repurposing the land for housing will better serve community needs and create a sustainable, cohesive neighborhood.
Situated on the western edge of Bishop’s Cleeve, the site is adjacent to Malvern View Business Park’s industrial units to the east, with the Grundon Waste Management Centre and Cheltenham North Rugby Football Club nearby along Stoke Road to the south.
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The proposed residential scheme features a variety of homes, including terraced, semi-detached, and detached houses with one to three bedrooms. Additionally, there will be two one-bedroom maisonette units and an apartment block containing three one-bedroom and three two-bedroom apartments. Of the 20 dwellings, 12 are planned as private market homes, with the remaining eight designated as affordable housing.
Ahead of submitting the application, Spitfire Homes held a public consultation, which revealed local residents’ primary concerns about parking availability, road safety, and the loss of promised community amenities. In response, the applicant submitted detailed documents addressing these issues, backed by technical surveys and compliance with planning policies.
The planning statement concludes that the development would provide valuable contributions to the borough’s housing supply, offering a balanced mix of market and affordable homes to meet a range of local housing needs.