The ambitious Elms Park development near Cheltenham, proposing 4,115 new homes, has sparked fierce debate ahead of upcoming planning committee meetings set for May 29. Developers tout the project as a future hub for affordable housing, job creation, and sustainable living, while local residents and parish councils raise serious concerns over its potential impact.
Led by housebuilders Bloor Homes and Permission, the Elms Park Consortium has put forward a £2.5 billion plan that includes up to 4,115 homes—35% designated as affordable. The project promises to generate approximately 4,000 jobs during construction and operation, including 30 apprenticeships annually. A business park spanning 10 hectares and a host of community facilities aim to make the estate largely self-sufficient.
Despite these benefits, opposition from more than 100 local residents and seven parish councils is strong. Groups from Uckington, Swindon, Elmstone Hardwicke, Stoke Orchard, Treddington, Bishop’s Cleeve, Leigh, Leckhampton, and Warden Hill have voiced apprehensions about traffic congestion, pollution, strain on healthcare and other local services, and potential flooding risks. Only four letters of support have been submitted to date.
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Critics also highlight issues such as road safety, parking, design, and the development’s perceived conflict with existing planning policies. However, developers stress that the entire site lies outside the green belt and complies with the joint planning strategy for Gloucester, Cheltenham, and Tewkesbury.
The consortium emphasizes the development’s comprehensive amenities, including a new secondary school, two primary schools, extra-care assisted living accommodation, a six-GP health centre, local shops, and a community centre. Over 100 hectares of open space, parks, and play areas are part of the design, alongside infrastructure improvements like new cycling routes, a transport hub with bus services, and a sports hub featuring tennis courts and an all-weather pitch.
Environmental sustainability is central to the scheme, with homes built to the 2025 Future Homes Standard to ensure zero-carbon readiness. The development will forgo gas supply in favor of renewable energy sources such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic panels. Electric vehicle charging points and secure cycle parking will support greener transport options, while Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems are planned to manage flood risks without impacting floodplains.
Additionally, the project aims to enhance local wildlife by creating new habitats and strengthening wildlife corridors along the River Swilgate.
The Elms Park development presents a significant opportunity to address Cheltenham’s housing shortage, particularly for affordable homes, while embracing sustainability and community facilities. The decision now rests with the Tewkesbury and Cheltenham planning committees, who will review the application later this week.