Plans to expand a travellers’ site in Cheltenham have been approved, sparking concern among local residents. Cheltenham Borough Council originally granted permission last September to convert just under six acres of land at Castle Dream in Stud Mill Lane, Charlton Kings, previously used for horse keeping, into a travellers' site. The initial approval allowed for two mobile homes, a touring caravan, hard standing for one to two caravans, a utility block, dog run, and fencing.
On June 19, the council revisited revised proposals seeking to increase the number of mobile homes and touring caravans on the site to two each. Approximately 25 residents voiced objections, raising issues related to the impact on the Cotswold Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, local sewage capacity, increased traffic, noise, pollution, and fears that property values in the neighborhood would decline.
The planning committee reviewed the plans after Charlton Kings Parish Council formally objected. Despite the concerns, council officers recommended approving the expansion with a condition limiting the site to no more than two touring caravans.
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Councillor Simon Wheeler (LD, Hesters Way) questioned whether the existing septic tank could handle the increased demand. Planning officers confirmed that the private sector housing team had addressed previous septic tank concerns back in 2024 following mitigation works, and no new objections had arisen.
Ultimately, councillors voted unanimously to approve the expansion, allowing the travellers’ site to increase in size while maintaining restrictions on caravan numbers.