Cheltenham public land set to be sold to build 4,000 homes

New schools, community centres and leisure facilities are planned as part of the development

More than 160 acres of public land will be sold as part of a major development including 4,115 homes.

The Elms Park development, in Swindon Village, Cheltenham, was first proposed in 2016 and a final decision is expected by the end of 2023.

The plan includes three schools and a business park, and could take more than 10 years to complete.

Gloucestershire County Council, which owns the land, said it was declared surplus to requirements in 2013.

How much the authority will sell the land for and to who is confidential at this stage, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS).

The land falls within the administrative areas of Cheltenham Borough Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council, which will together determine whether the development should go ahead.

The proposal, referred to as The Elms Park urban extension, is being put forward by developers Bloor Homes and Persimmon and could include retail, leisure, community and healthcare facilities and a transport hub.

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Gloucestershire County Council cabinet member Lynden Stowe said: "It is very much a key part of the housing delivery and supply of our district partners."

Mr Stowe said 279 acres of the site will be kept to enhance the natural environment in the area and new orchards, hedgerows and woodland would be created.

"What we want to do is ensure best value for the council in the disposal of this land so that it makes a contribution to our capital receipts targets," he added.

The land spans Swindon Village, Elmstone Hardwicke, Uckington and the A4019 Tewkesbury Road.

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