There is growing concern that plans for a new 2,000-home settlement near Gloucester could irreversibly damage the historic setting of Churcham’s ancient St Andrew’s Church in Gloucestershire.
Forest of Dean District Council is currently preparing its housing blueprint for the next 20 years, aiming to accommodate over 13,000 new homes as directed by the Government. One potential solution under consideration is creating a new community off the A40 near Churcham.
While worries have been raised about increased commuter traffic at nearby bottlenecks like Over, local residents are equally troubled by the impact on St Andrew’s Church, a grade II*-listed building with origins that predate the Norman Conquest of 1066.
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Notably, the church features a carved figure above its north doorway, believed by some scholars to be Romano-British in origin, dating back to around 300 AD, while others view it as a 14th-century saintly depiction. The site also holds historical significance from 1048, when a nobleman, Wulfin le Rue, killed seven priests nearby and then donated Churcham and Highnam to St Peter’s Abbey as part of seeking absolution.
Fran Phillips, the churchwarden of St Andrew’s, expressed deep unease that the local plan does not sufficiently recognize the church’s historic and cultural importance. “We’ve always understood this to be a special and protected site,” she said. “Parts of the church date back to the Saxon period, with Romano-British evidence present as well. Its position on the hill offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape.”
Phillips lamented that “the proposed development appears to disregard these significant factors. There is virtually no mention of the church’s historic status or special role in the area within the plan.”
She emphasized the church’s integral identity tied to the village itself, explaining, “Churcham literally means ‘the village of the church.’ This church is central to the community and its heritage.”
Concerns extend to the scenic value of the church’s hilltop vantage point, which she fears will be lost beneath a sprawling housing estate. “Instead of open views, all we’ll see are rooftops, commercial premises, and industrial buildings. The character of the village and its connection to the church would be compromised.”
The public consultation on the draft local plan closed on March 18. The proposals will now be reviewed and debated by councillors before a finalized plan is submitted to a planning inspector for examination in the autumn.