Reef + Partners has submitted revised plans to increase the scale of its prominent development at the corner of Market Parade and Spread Eagle Road in Gloucester. The site, located under half a mile from Gloucester Station and the city’s cathedral, was originally approved for 24 flats. The new proposal seeks to boost this figure to 36 apartments, necessitating an additional storey on the Whitefriars building, raising it from five to six storeys.
The planned accommodation comprises nine one-bedroom flats, 19 two-bedroom flats and eight three-bedroom apartments. Within this total, eight units (22%) will be designated as affordable housing, and the development will include accessible homes tailored to meet residents’ needs. Provisions for three disabled parking spaces and 64 bicycle spaces are included, alongside improved landscaping and new access points.
These latest plans form part of the Whitefriars project’s ongoing expansion, following the successful completion of its first phase. The initial five-storey block, featuring 19 flats from one to three bedrooms, opened in December 2022 and is now fully occupied. Phase one represented an £8 million investment and garnered recognition as ‘Small Residential Development of the Year’ at the Insider Media South West Residential Property Awards. Judges praised its contribution to urban renewal as a standout example of brownfield regeneration.
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Representatives from Reef + Partners have told Gloucester City Council that the revised proposals “do not alter the established use or regeneration objectives for the site” and that they comply with policies aimed at optimising sustainable brownfield development within the city centre. They also cite changes such as the introduction of a new bus lane, which affects site boundaries and necessitates adjustments to the previously approved scheme.
Avison Young, acting on behalf of Reef + Partners, emphasises that the development is part of the residential phase of King’s Quarter, “a transformative mixed-use development that enhances connections between the railway station, Gloucester Cathedral and the retail core of the city centre.” The adjacent landmark mixed-use venue, The Forum, delivers office space, retail, hotel accommodation and public areas aimed at supporting economic growth in the city.
This planning application is seen as an important step in advancing the broader King’s Quarter development, which aligns closely with Gloucester City Council’s regeneration goals. The proposals are expected to bring substantial social and economic benefits, including the creation of 36 new homes with eight affordable units, increased local footfall and spending, and support for leisure and retail sectors.
In a related development, the Hotel Indigo by IHG recently debuted a 129-room hotel next door to the proposed Whitefriars site, further contributing to the area’s vibrancy.
The planning application has been validated, with public consultation open and comments welcome until 12 September.