Plans to demolish Gloucester’s only high-rise residential tower block, Clapham Court, and replace it with 34 new homes have sparked worries over insufficient parking and potential gridlock.
The 11-storey building on Alvin Street, which until recently comprised 80 one-bedroom flats mainly occupied by residents aged 55 and over, is now largely vacant with only one long-term resident remaining.
After a previous redevelopment proposal was rejected in 2024, Gloucester City Homes has submitted a new plan to Gloucester City Council planners. The proposal includes demolishing the existing building and constructing a housing estate featuring 13 houses and 21 flats - all designated as affordable housing - alongside a replacement pharmacy.
The plans include two car parking areas on the site, located in the south-east and south-west corners, both accessible from Alvin Street, providing a total of 21 parking spaces.
However, local residents have expressed concerns that the number of parking spaces is inadequate given the area’s current congestion. An objector noted that Alvin Street and surrounding streets are already at maximum car capacity, despite Clapham Court currently being mostly empty. They pointed out that cars often park on pavements nearby, such as in Union Street, due to lack of space.
“This area is already overcrowded, especially at night,” the resident commented. “If these plans go ahead without additional parking, local businesses could suffer, and the area could become gridlocked.”
Liberal Democrat Councillor Jeremy Hilton, representing the Kingsholm and Wotton area, acknowledged improvements in the new scheme compared to the previous one, particularly the repositioning of the apartment block to reduce overshadowing and an increase in on-site parking.
Nonetheless, he emphasised ongoing concerns regarding parking capacity, highlighting the change in residents from single occupants over 55 to family units, which is likely to increase vehicle ownership substantially. Hilton noted that the proposal could lead to up to 68 on-street parking permits being issued, plus the loss of two existing on-street spaces, potentially burdening neighbouring roads.
To mitigate these issues, he is advocating for a legally binding agreement with the county council to limit eligibility to one on-street resident permit per dwelling, instead of the standard two. He also stressed the importance of keeping the local chemist operational throughout the demolition and construction period.
Consultants working on behalf of Gloucester City Homes described the existing building as “bulky” and “slab-like” and said the new development would be lower in height, reducing its impact on the city skyline and improving views of the cathedral and other historic landmarks.
The proposed homes will offer a diverse mix of sizes, from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom houses. Each house will include private outdoor space, and the development will incorporate a larger shared landscaped amenity area. The plans also include a replacement pharmacy in a prominent and accessible location.
Planning officers have recommended approval of the scheme, which is scheduled for consideration by councillors at the planning meeting on 6 October.