Plans to build 235 homes in Draycott, a village near the M5 motorway in Gloucestershire, have been approved despite significant concerns from residents and local councillors regarding road safety and traffic congestion.
Stroud District Council’s development control committee recently granted Robert Hitchins Limited permission to develop nearly 24 acres of land west of the A4135. This development forms part of a larger 1,000-home estate planned near the M5, representing a significant north-western extension of Draycott and Cam.
Developers describe the project as an opportunity to create an “attractive” and integrated neighbourhood; however, the proposals have faced opposition from dozens of local residents worried about increased urbanisation and the potential for Draycott and Cam to merge into a continuous housing area.
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Councillor Tina Walker of Cam Parish Council urged the committee to defer the decision until outstanding issues were resolved, highlighting concerns about the development’s density, ecological impact, and especially highway access. She described the site as the “final part of the jigsaw of an over 1,000-house estate,” emphasising that the “Box Road junction is an ongoing concern.” According to Councillor Walker, Gloucestershire County Council has acknowledged the need for this junction to be redeveloped in conjunction with the housing developments by Persimmon and Robert Hitchins.
She also noted that the county council had recommended refusal of the plan, specifically citing the necessity for a roundabout at Goldfinch Edge and its integration with the estate’s exit road. Councillor Walker stressed the importance of ensuring proper entrance and exit points, including access for emergency vehicles. She further explained that the entrance, managed by the Persimmon development, has not been approved by the county council, and construction has yet to begin. She criticised the idea that such vital issues could be deferred as planning conditions, declaring this approach “no longer acceptable.”
Other nearby areas also presented ongoing challenges related to infrastructure.
Labour Councillor Terri Kinnison (Cam West) highlighted the broader impacts of the development, with residents and local officials concerned about the village’s continued expansion. She remarked that many prior commitments for infrastructure improvements have not been met. Councillor Kinnison observed that Cam has endured years of large-scale development on both its eastern and western edges, which - along with smaller projects - have generated noise, dust, mud problems, increased traffic volumes, and travel delays.
Council officers clarified that the current permission is for outline plans, and while some access details remain to be finalised, a design proposal includes constructing a new roundabout. John Chaplin, majors and environment team manager, acknowledged concerns from the parish council and confirmed that access specifics are typically addressed at later planning stages.
During discussions, Councillor Lindsey Green (Conservative, Berkeley Vale) raised questions about the enforceability of planning conditions and whether local GP surgeries and secondary schools have adequate capacity to serve the growing population. Officers responded that developer contributions towards such infrastructure have been requested from the developers.
Councillor Martin Pearcy (Green, Coaley and Uley) expressed strong concerns about traffic congestion, particularly at the Box Road junction, suggesting that increased vehicle numbers would struggle to access and exit local train stations safely. Councillor Milly Hill (Liberal Democrat, Cam East) agreed, emphasising the critical need for a spine road and roundabout exit. She drew attention to a narrow and hazardous railway bridge near Slimbridge that adds to local traffic risks and noted that residents are currently coping with considerable noise and dust from ongoing construction work.
A proposal by Councillor Green to defer the decision pending a formal highways response from the county council and clearer details on developer contributions was not seconded.
Labour Councillor Dave Matthews (Cainscross) argued that many concerns would be addressed in subsequent reserved matters applications and recommended granting permission with advisories to highlight outstanding issues.
Ultimately, Stroud District Council’s development control committee voted to grant outline permission by six votes in favour, two against, and one abstention.
“The entrance is being supplied by the Persimmon element of the estate and has currently not been signed off by Gloucestershire County Council - the idea that these issues can be signed off as conditions to planning is no longer acceptable to us,” said Councillor Tina Walker.
The decision marks a significant step forward for the large-scale housing project, although local concerns about infrastructure, road safety, and environmental impact remain prominent as the development progresses.