Serious concerns have been raised about the potential impact of a proposed new town of 2,000 homes near Gloucester on an ancient village church in Gloucestershire. Forest of Dean District Council is currently drafting a housing plan to accommodate over 13,000 new homes over the next two decades, in line with government targets.
One proposed solution is to build a new settlement near Churcham, just off the A40. While local residents worry about increased commuter traffic at the nearby bottleneck of Over, many are also alarmed about the effect on the setting of the grade II*-listed St Andrew’s Church.
This historic church dates back well before the Norman Conquest of 1066, with some features possibly originating from the Romano-British period around 300 AD. A notable carving above the north doorway is either from this era or the 14th century, depicting either a Romano-British figure or a saint. The site also holds a significant local legend: in 1048, a nobleman named Wulfin le Rue murdered seven priests nearby and gave the lands to St Peter’s Abbey to seek absolution.
READ MORE: Beavers Return to Gloucestershire: County Poised for Reintroduction
Fran Phillips, churchwarden of St Andrew’s, highlights the deep historical importance of the church, noting its Saxon origins and Romano-British connections. She expresses concern that the council’s draft plan pays insufficient attention to the church’s heritage, with no specific protections or references to its significance.
“The church has always been considered a protected landmark, especially because of its prominent hilltop position overlooking the entire area,” Phillips said. “Churcham itself was named after the church — ‘ham’ meaning village or settlement of the church. Its historic value is central to the village identity, yet this seems to be overlooked.”
Phillips fears the new development will permanently alter the view from the church, replacing the scenic rural landscape with what she describes as “a giant housing estate” complete with rooftops, commercial buildings, and possibly even industrial areas.
The council’s public consultation on the draft local plan closed on March 18. The plan is expected to be reviewed and debated by councillors before being submitted to a planning inspector in the autumn for further assessment.