Communities on the outskirts of Cheltenham are voicing alarm over potential traffic chaos following plans to build thousands of new homes across Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury over the next two decades. The emerging strategic and local plan proposes allocating land for 43,000 homes, with approximately 6,000 potentially developed near villages such as Badgeworth, Shurdington, Up Hatherley, Warden Hill, and The Reddings.
According to the Housing and Economic Land Availability Assessment (HELAA), these identified sites reveal available land for development but do not guarantee planning approvals. Nonetheless, local residents are deeply concerned that such extensive building could engulf their villages, transforming them into dense urban areas and severely impacting daily life.
A proposal for 126 new homes at Longlands Farm in Badgeworth has already drawn opposition from over 120 people. Petitioners demand a hold on any planning decisions affecting the Cheltenham and Gloucester Green Belt until the new strategic local plan is formally adopted.
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Long-term resident Jim Bailey, 87, highlights recurring traffic difficulties in Badgeworth and Shurdington, especially during school periods. He warns that the development will effectively merge these villages into a “Greater Shurdington-Badgeworth conurbation,” eliminating the spaces currently separating Cheltenham and Gloucester.
“This will swamp Badgeworth and Shurdington,” Bailey remarks. “Traffic lights planned for the junction of Badgeworth Lane and Shurdington Road will cause backups, especially during peak school times when parked cars already reduce lane capacity.”
Another concerned resident, 97-year-old Michael Holyoake, urges the council to defer approval of the 126-home proposal to allow further consultation. He calls for developments to be strategically linked and connected to major roads such as the A46 to mitigate traffic congestion risks.
“The idea of a single access point for 126 houses onto Badgeworth Lane is troubling," Holyoake explains. “During busy mornings, getting out of that development will be a nightmare amid already heavy traffic. It’s a recipe for chaos.”
Holyoake also cites Cold Pool Lane, a key route for Cheltenham commuters, as another area likely to suffer from increased traffic.
The councils overseeing Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury report that housing targets have surged by more than 20% following Government directives. The strategic and local plan aims to guide development locations and outline necessary infrastructure improvements to accommodate growth sustainably.
Public engagement on the strategic local plan continues through June 2026, with a pre-submission to the Government scheduled for July and final submission anticipated later this year. Residents and businesses are encouraged to review the plan details to stay informed on these significant developments that will shape the region’s future.