Views sought on housing plan despite concerns

There are concerns that some of the road network would not cope with extra housing

There are concerns a consultation into Stroud’s “flawed” draft development blueprint was “launched quietly” amid major concerns over the capacity of nearby junctions on the M5.

Inspectors raised concerns last year over the viability of Stroud District Council’s local plan due to the need to upgrade nearby motorway junctions.

Conservatives have said the council was given advice to withdraw the plan but "against that advice" has carried on with a further consultation.

But the council said inspectors had advised a "pause" in the local plan examination to address concerns, and the consultation was on the "resulting work".

The document sets out future strategic development and details the levels and types of growth planned for the area until 2040.

It will also detail where just over 12,000 homes will be built.

But inspectors highlighted issues with the provision of the pedestrian and cycle bridge over the motorway for the Wisloe development and at the time called into question the sustainable transport proposed for the planned new garden village at Sharpness.

Opposition councillors have criticised the decision to consult on further work they have done on the plan without prior notification to councillors or the public.

The Stroud District Council local plan examination in public process was suspended earlier this year.

Conservative group leader Councillor Lindsey Green said: “Inspectors suggested that the council should consider withdrawing the plan due to the scale of the identified issues.

"However, against this advice, the council chose to continue and commenced a consultation on the further work they have completed."

'Failed in duty'

“At the time of writing, whilst there are numerous other stories being promoted by Stroud District Council on social media, the local plan consultation is conspicuous by its absence," she explained.

“It seems reasonable to expect effective, honest consultation and, once again, the council have failed in this duty."

A Stroud District Council spokesperson said planning inspectors agreed a ten month ‘pause’ in the examination of the Stroud District draft Local Plan, to allow the council and its partners to address specific concerns they identified in Summer 2023.

“The resulting work is now out for a 6 weeks targeted consultation, which started on Monday September 9 and closes 5pm on October 23.

“The consultation was reported to the council’s Strategic Planning Advisory Board on September 5, 2024 – a cross party working group of councillors – and at Environment Committee on Thursday, September 19. Group council party leaders were also briefed in advance.”