Residents in Gloucestershire are being invited to provide feedback on an ambitious strategic plan that could see over 43,000 new homes built across Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury over the next two decades. The consultation, launched on December 1, aims to shape how the region grows, including the potential creation of new towns and the development of green belt land.
The newly published research outlines housing targets for each area: Cheltenham requires approximately 16,400 homes, Gloucester 14,000, and Tewkesbury 12,600. With 18,000 homes already planned, the region still needs around 25,000 additional dwellings. Alongside housing, the strategy seeks to allocate between 70 and 210 hectares for employment land to support local economies.
Four spatial development options are on the table:
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Concentrated growth along a new transport corridor featuring new routes and transport hubs, potentially creating up to three new towns. This option considers building on green belt land, including areas near Churcham, Boddington, and east of Swindon Village, with about 2,500 homes planned in these locations.
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Focused housing growth along a sustainable transport corridor combined with modest expansion in rural villages well-served by public transport and amenities. Like the first option, this also disregards green belt constraints and includes similar housing proposals near Churcham, Boddington, and Swindon Village.
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Expansion concentrated on existing towns such as Tewkesbury, Winchcombe, and Bishops Cleeve, and other service villages, avoiding green belt areas. This option leverages established transport routes and hubs.
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Large-scale mixed-use developments delivering 13,000 homes via urban extensions to Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury, supplemented by at least one new town. Additionally, this approach encourages more growth in rural service villages (about 6,000 homes) and urban fringe settlements (around 1,600 homes), shifting some development away from main urban centers.
Alistair Cunningham, Chief Executive of Tewkesbury Borough Council and lead for the strategic local plan, stressed the importance of public participation. “This is the most important document that the local government produces. It will shape how our communities develop for the next 20 years, and we need input from residents to get it right,” he said.
Regarding potential urban expansion connecting Gloucester and Cheltenham, Cunningham noted the motorway currently prevents the two from merging. “While transport connectivity between the two will improve, we are not planning for them to coalesce,” he explained, highlighting the challenges posed by protected landscapes around Cheltenham.
Cunningham emphasized the need to hear from younger residents about their housing preferences. “We want ideas on what types of homes appeal to younger people,” he said. “Affordable local housing options are crucial to prevent displacement to other urban areas.”
The maps in the consultation display sites proposed by landowners, which serve as starting points for selecting optimal locations that balance housing needs with environmental impact and travel requirements.
The plan encompasses more than housing, focusing on employment, community facilities, green spaces, flood protection, transport infrastructure, and environmental conservation to create sustainable communities.
Residents and businesses can review detailed proposals and provide feedback through the dedicated strategic local plan website. The consultation period runs until January 16, 2026, with further engagement continuing through June. The finalized plan is expected to be submitted to the government by late 2026.
Your voice is essential in shaping Gloucestershire’s future growth—take part in the consultation today.