What next for this deprived community in Gloucester?

Plans were made to regenerate Podsmead – but councillors rejected them over concerns about the loss of this green space

"It's been the same since I was a little girl, nothing has changed."

Keira Douglas has lived in the Podsmead area of Gloucester since she was a toddler.

And while the 28-year-old is proud of her home and community she, like many of her neighbours, feels left behind by politicians.

National measures show Podsmead is in the 10% most deprived areas of England.

The area is also the most deprived in Gloucestershire when it comes to employment, education skills and training.

Regeneration has been promised for years by politicians from multiple parties, but so far no large-scale projects have been brought to fruition.

Gloucester City Council said Podsmead remained a priority for investment and regeneration.

It said it was committed to "delivering a future that reflects the aspirations of the community".

Some residents want to see their existing homes improved, rather than new homes being built near them

But there is scepticism in Podsmead as to whether this pledge will be upheld.

"When you go up to other areas and you see how nice their areas are, and you come to Podsmead, it just seems like Podsmead has been forgotten about," Ms Douglas said.

Leonard Balland, who has lived just off Podsmead's green space since he was born, agrees and said those with power were not listening.

"Podsmead has been left behind since I was a kid, there's been many things we've wanted," he said.

Nearby resident Stephen Bartlett thinks there is little chance of change.

"Probably this will be the same in 10 years as it is now," he said.

Leonard Balland has grown up in Podsmead and says nothing has changed

Some improvements have come to Podsmead. Last month, its first pharmacy opened, giving residents access to health advice within walking distance.

In May, the £6m Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub welcomed its first visitors to its gym, exercise studio and sports pitches.

But no improvement has been made when it comes to housing.

There was a £45m plan for what was described as a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to regenerate the area and build 172 socially affordable homes.

It was put forward by Gloucester City Homes (GCH) housing association but was voted down by Gloucester City Council last month over concerns including the loss of green space and the design of the project.

The vote followed objections to the plans from some residents in Podsmead.

Some said they wanted GCH, which owns and maintains much of the social rented housing in the area, to invest in improvements to existing homes instead.

There were also concerns around overcrowding and pressure on schools.

The plans for new homes in Podsmead are now dead in the water

The rejection of the regeneration plan has caused tension between the city's political parties.

Labour MP for Gloucester, Alex McIntyre, said the decision was really disappointing and frustrating.

Former Conservative MP for the city, Richard Graham, who was involved in the creation of the regeneration project, also expressed his disappointment.

He has said there needs to be "leadership, and a focus on action not rhetoric" to find a "positive way forward" for the area.

Speaking in a council meeting in July, Liberal Democrat leader of the city council Jeremy Hilton said the planning process was carried out "properly without any interference from the administration" and the decision was reached through a "free democratic vote by the planning committee".

In a statement, Gloucester City Homes said it would not pursue regeneration in Podsmead.

So what's next?

Optimism

Politicians claim they are entering talks to form a plan on how to invest in Podsmead.

A spokesperson for the council has said it recognises the frustration of residents who feel the area has been left behind.

"However, we want to be crystal clear: Podsmead remains a priority for investment and regeneration, and we are committed to delivering a future that reflects the aspirations of the community," the spokesperson added.

And there are those who are optimistic change will come, such as Liberal Democrat councillor for the Podsmead ward, Sebastian Field.

"There's a lot going on in Podsmead elsewhere that is very promising," he said.

He pointed to a nearly completed housing development at nearby Earls Park and the "fantastic" Blackbridge Hub.

"I think the future is bright and it's up to all of us to be positive about Podsmead," he said.

Sebastian Field says he is optimistic that change will come to the area

One thing everyone can agree on is the benefit that regeneration will have on residents when it comes to health, life expectancy, educational attainment and life chances.

Mark Gale is the chief executive of the charity Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, which runs social projects in the area.

He said: "There's such a high level of health inequalities here, you can just cross over the main road and the mortality rates are significantly lower just within a few hundred yards, and so there's so much that could be done."

And he has a sobering warning for decision makers. "I think it's really demoralising and disheartening to be promised repeatedly that things will improve and then for those things not to be delivered," he said.

"People can only be promised things so many times and not see them being delivered before they begin to question whether anything is going to happen."