Plans to build 100 houses on over 12 acres off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth have sparked serious concerns among residents and parish councils. The developer, A&K Gateshead Limited, proposes a sustainable scheme that would deliver a mix of high-quality homes for the village. However, opposition is mounting due to worries about traffic, flooding, sewage problems, and the transformation of what residents describe as a “quiet, rural space” into a suburban extension of Gloucester.
Twigworth Parish Council has highlighted significant issues with the existing sewage system, which they say frequently bursts through manholes, flooding public areas. They note that during periods of heavy or persistent rainfall, surface water infiltrates the sewer network, leading to overloads.
“An additional 100 houses connected to the sewer that leads to the pumping station at the entrance to Wallsworth Lane will have a horrendous impact on a pumping station that already floods Wallsworth Lane and nearby houses and businesses with sewage in times of heavy or persistent rain,” the council stated.
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The pumping station, which receives sewage from multiple directions, including north, west, and south, directs waste east towards another pumping station in Ash Lane-a location also known for flooding residents’ properties with sewage.
Down Hatherley Parish Council concurs, pointing out that the foul drainage system is already operating beyond safe capacity and has a history of failures. They describe the Ash Lane pumping station as a “critical infrastructure constraint” and warn that no evidence has been provided to prove that the proposed additional development can be supported without increasing the risk of foul flooding, environmental pollution, or detriment to residential amenity.
On the other hand, the developers emphasise the contribution their plans would make towards meeting local housing needs, offering a variety of homes from smaller properties to family-sized houses. The design incorporates retained landscape features and a sensitive buffer zone along the A38 to maintain legibility and sustainability throughout the site.
Tewkesbury Borough Council planners are scheduled to review the proposal by 6 October 2026, amid ongoing debate over its potential impact on the community and local infrastructure.