Planning delays mean regeneration 'likely not to go ahead'

The plans include 173 new homes and shops for Podsmead, Gloucester

A regeneration project looks unlikely to go ahead as planning delays have put £20m funding at risk, the CEO of a housing association has said.

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) has been planning the £50m Podsmead development for several years, but a grant from Homes England depends on building work starting before 31 March.

CEO Guy Stenson said plans were submitted in June 2024 and it had responded to concerns and queries from Gloucester City Council since then.

The council said it will not get to the planning application at next month's meeting, and accused GCH of not supplying documents on time.

Mr Stenson said: "It feels like every week, every month, a curveball gets thrown at us.

"Each and every one of them, we've addressed and responded to but they all add cost.

"Here and now today, the most likely outcome is that it won't go ahead."

'No shortcuts'

Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said GCH "is responsible for filing all the appropriate documentation".

"We're going through that process diligently and we're not taking any shortcuts on it, it's a major development," he said.

"The council has acted as quickly as it can, made a number of requests to GCH to provide information on time and they haven't done so.

"So if there's any delay or problems, it's with GCH, not Gloucester City Council."