A major housing development plan proposing 4,115 new homes near Cheltenham has ignited significant opposition from local residents and seven nearby villages, who warn it could have a devastating impact on the area. The Elms Park project, led by Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes, is set to be reviewed by Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough planners next week.
Situated near junction 10 of the M5 motorway, the expansive proposal covers almost 60 acres of land intended for employment, including a 25-acre business park, along with plans for a hotel, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs, and takeaways. The development also includes a public transport interchange, primary and secondary schools, sports facilities, woodland, new walkways and cycleways, as well as new access points on Tewkesbury Road and Manor Road.
Spanning from Swindon Village to Uckington and extending from Tewkesbury Road to Brockhampton, the project has faced strong resistance. Seven parish councils—including Uckington, Swindon, Elmstone Hardwicke, Stoke Orchard and Treddington, Bishop’s Cleeve, Leigh and Leckhampton, and Warden Hill—have formally objected to the plans. Their concerns center on the design and aesthetics of the homes, road safety, traffic congestion, parking issues, pollution, flood risk, privacy, and conflicts with existing planning policies.
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In total, 111 individuals have submitted objections, fearing the development will wreak havoc on the locality, while only four letters of support have been received. Among the worries are a dramatic increase in traffic and air pollution, along with the potential for local healthcare and other public services to become overwhelmed.
One resident remarked, “The whole scheme is shortsighted and will have a disastrous effect throughout the locality. I regularly run on those fields, which retain significant water. This development will only worsen traffic, pollution, and strain on local amenities, especially hospitals and healthcare.”
Another local critic expressed frustration over the lack of recent community consultation since the original application was made nearly a decade ago. Gloucestershire Constabulary has also opposed the project, citing the need for increased funding to cover policing costs of new premises.
Meanwhile, planners and consultants behind Elms Park describe it as a sustainable new neighborhood designed to foster a thriving community. They highlight the project’s provision of essential facilities and opportunities to promote healthy, happy living, incorporating both proven and innovative technologies aimed at environmental sustainability.
The development lies entirely within land earmarked for growth under the joint planning strategy for Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury. Planning officers have recommended the scheme be granted permission, subject to certain conditions.
The final decision will rest with elected members of the Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough planning committees, who will vote on the proposal at meetings scheduled for May 29.