Housebuilders have expressed enthusiasm following the approval of comprehensive plans for Elms Park, a major new development near Cheltenham. Spanning over 530 acres north of Tewkesbury Road close to Uckington, the outline proposals for 4,115 homes received the green light from planning authorities.
Both Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough Councils reviewed the 20-year phased project in their recent meetings on May 29. Despite facing strong opposition from residents—evidenced by more than 110 objections—the site was endorsed by planning officers on both councils due to its strategic importance.
Leading the initiative, the Elms Park Consortium, comprising Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes, highlighted the extensive 12-year consultation process that culminated in approval. They emphasize the development’s critical role in addressing the region’s housing shortage, particularly through the provision of affordable homes.
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A spokesperson stated, “Elms Park will deliver over 4,000 new homes, with more than 1,000 affordable units available, many of which will be for rent, meeting a pressing regional need.”
However, the project extends beyond housing. The new 10-hectare business park is expected to create 4,000 jobs, injecting £300 million annually into the sub-regional economy. Sustainability is a cornerstone of the design, with all homes built to the 2025 Future Homes Standard—ensuring they are zero carbon ready as the electricity grid evolves.
Notably, no gas will be supplied; instead, the development will rely on air-source heat pumps and solar panels to deliver renewable energy and low carbon heating. Over 250 acres of public green spaces will feature community allotments, a large park with walking and cycling paths for all to enjoy.
Transportation improvements include a new hub providing connections to central Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. Community amenities will be comprehensive, featuring a sports hub with a 3G pitch, a six-GP medical surgery, and dedicated healthcare and community facilities.
Originally proposed in 2012 and incorporated into the Joint Core Strategy in 2017, Elms Park will also include three new schools—a secondary and two primaries—and enhanced cycling routes, making it a model of sustainable, mixed-use community development.