Since a proposal first appeared in 2008, Gloucester Conservatives have consistently been against a large development of c3,200 houses stretching from Grange Road down the Whaddon Valley.
We believe that this part of Gloucester is unlikely to be able to cope with the extra demands on services and infrastructure, and in particular that increasing pressure on St Barnabas’ roundabout would greatly increase congestion, traffic jams and air pollution on Stroud Rd.
We do recognise that there is demand for an additional secondary school for the south of the city, and therefore believe that the proposed Beacon Academy school should be sited closer to existing new developments and not at Whaddon.
We await confirmation from Stroud District Council about the details of planning applications received for this area and their traffic mitigation proposals, as required by GCC Highways. Gloucester City Council will then decide how to respond.
This position is shared by the MP for Gloucester, the Leaders of both the Gloucestershire County and Gloucester City Councils and all existing Councillors and new candidates for the 2021 election.