Plan to replace Gloucester's only high-rise tower with estate

Clapham Court is Gloucester's only high rise residential tower block

A city's only high-rise housing block could be torn down and replaced.

Developers have submitted a bid to demolish 11-storey Clapham Court, in Gloucester, and build a new estate in its place.

Gloucester City Homes announced the decision to tear down the 50-year-old "slab-like" block due to the high cost of maintenance in 2021.

The proposal would see the building replaced with 36 homes and a community garden.

Gloucester City Council validated SF Planning Limited's application on 6 December.

It is unclear when a final decision will be made by planners at Gloucester City Council.

Last month flats on different floors of Clapham Court were turned into an art exhibition to tell the stories hidden within the walls of the building.

A design and access statement by the applicant said it wanted to demolish the existing tower that had "been described by city policy as poorly design, bulky and 'slab'-like, which is visible within the city skyline and competes with historic structures".

"New structures built to lower height, reducing impact on skyline and opening up distant views to cathedral and other historic elements."

It said each house would have a private space and a larger shared amenity space that will be landscaped.

Once demolished, the tallest residential block of flats will become the 10-storey building at Gloucester Docks that was approved earlier this year once it's completed.

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