A significant housing development plan, proposing up to 795 new homes on land adjacent to the M5 motorway in Cam, has been approved by a planning inspector following an appeal by Persimmon Homes. The developer had appealed against Stroud District Council’s (SDC) failure to make a timely decision on their application to build on over 96 acres of farmland west of the A4135 Draycott.
Situated between the existing Shell petrol station and Jubilee Playing Field, the gently sloping site had been the subject of a hybrid planning application. In July, Stroud’s Development Control Committee reviewed the application and unanimously resolved to grant permission based on officers’ professional recommendations.
A key issue in the appeal was the financial contributions exceeding £4.35 million requested to support local infrastructure such as transport, education, libraries, policing, and healthcare. Disagreement arose over whether these funds would be secured through a Section 106 agreement or via bids to the council’s Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). Planning inspector Andrew McGlone acknowledged the concerns of Gloucestershire County Council, the NHS, and local GPs regarding the certainty of funding but noted these bodies must actively pursue necessary funding through the council’s environment committee.
READ MORE: M5 Closed at Gloucestershire Junction 9 Due to Overrunning Overnight Roadworks
READ MORE: Gloucester Rugby Injury Update Ahead of Harlequins Clash: Ludlow, Atkinson, Joseph, Rapava-Ruskin Return
Inspector McGlone also highlighted an existing shortfall of 1,461 homes in Stroud district over the next five years. While the proposed development would only partially contribute to addressing this housing deficit—due to the outline phase not delivering all homes within the immediate five-year timeframe—the anticipated build rate of 60 homes per year would nonetheless support the district’s ongoing housing needs.
Concluding the decision, McGlone stated that although the development conflicts with the current development plan, the material considerations justify a decision contrary to the plan. Consequently, the appeal was allowed, paving the way for this substantial housing project to proceed.