Local residents and officials in Gloucestershire are raising urgent concerns over potential housing developments encroaching on Churchdown Hill, a beloved natural landscape known also as Chosen Hill. Councils across Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury are collaborating on a housing blueprint projecting the construction of 43,000 homes over the next two decades. Within this blueprint, land around Churchdown Hill has been earmarked as capable of accommodating over 2,600 homes, sparking fears about loss of green space.
Stewart Dove, representing Churchdown on both Tewkesbury Borough and Gloucestershire County Councils, alongside North Cotswolds parliamentary candidate Paul Hodgkinson, have jointly stated their opposition to building on Churchdown Hill. They emphasize its unique natural beauty, ecological significance, and historic character, highlighting its importance as a vital recreational and wildlife area for the community.
“This landscape is irreplaceable,” Dove and Hodgkinson said in a shared statement. “While we recognize the urgent need to provide homes, especially for young families, development must be sustainable and not sacrifice treasured natural assets like Churchdown Hill.”
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As Tewkesbury Borough Council prepares to finalize its Strategic Local Plan (SLP), the duo calls for clear protections to ensure Churchdown Hill remains untouched. They also stress that alternative sites exist better suited to meet housing demands without compromising valued green spaces.
Alistair Cunningham, Chief Executive of Tewkesbury Borough Council, reaffirmed that the SLP intends to balance growth with the preservation of environmentally significant areas. “We are committed to careful planning that includes community feedback and safeguards special landscapes while providing necessary infrastructure for future development,” Cunningham said.
The growing dialogue underscores the community’s commitment to preserving Churchdown Hill for the enjoyment and well-being of both current residents and future generations.