Go-ahead given for 185 homes amid traffic concerns

Residents and councillors have been concerned about traffic in the village

Plans to build 185 homes have been given the go-ahead amid fears a Gloucester village will be "blocked with traffic from one end to the other".

Bellway Homes has been granted permission to build the new housing estate which includes public open space on land at Hill Farm in Hempsted.

Gloucester City Councillors were tasked with considering the scale of the development, its layout, appearance and landscape at a planning committee meeting on Tuesday.

The committee voted to approve the scheme by four votes to one with four abstentions.

The site was granted outline planning permission at appeal in 2022 despite concerns from councillors that future residents would also have to endure the "dreadfully smelly" nearby sewage works, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Lovely space'

Ward councillor Pam Tracey was among those who spoke against the scheme at North Warehouse, raising concerns over highways.

“It’s our only green space in Hempsted where people drive in,” she said.

“It’s a shame we are going to lose this lovely space.

“It will affect all residents in the lane. We will never be a village again.

"We are going to be blocked from one end to the other."

The plans, which include 37 affordable homes, were given the go-ahead

Robert Mills, of Hempsted Residents association, also spoke against the scheme, but said they appreciate there is a need to increase the number of homes in Gloucester.

"A steep, sloping, productive arable site that floods regularly downwind of the Netheridge Sewage Works with a single access via a narrow lane is not the most suitable place for such a large development," he said.

He said hundreds of objections were submitted against the scheme and the properties would be very densely packed.

Llinos Hallet, agent for Bellway Homes, said the site benefitted from outline planning permission and access, and the proposals put before the planning committee had no technical objections.

"The layout of the development has been carefully considered to ensure privacy and amenity standards are upheld," she said.

"There would be no adverse impact."

She said the site benefits from high quality open space with parkland areas to the south, a play area and 37 affordable homes.

Councillor Andy Lewis raised concerns about the scheme but said on balance it should be granted permission.