Plans for 315 homes on former rail depot next to hospital look set for …
Updated plans to build 315 homes[1] on a former Gloucester railway depot near the hospital could get the go-ahead next week. Eutopia Homes wants to develop 7.9 acres of land made up of former railway sidings and depot and commercial business premises in Great Western Road.
The site was previously owned by Network Rail and is generally flat. It fronts Great Western Road on its north side, beyond which is Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.[2] The site fronts Horton Road on its east side, beyond which is an electrical supplies business and the Irish Club and its car park. While the south eastern part adjoins the operational railway.
The proposal includes for 315 residential units comprising a mix of 228 flats and 87 houses, the creation of a new vehicle access from Great Western Road[3], and associated landscaping and infrastructure. Planning permission was approved for[4] the site in February but councillors are due to debate an updated application.
Did you see this story? Hundreds take part in pro-Palestine march in Gloucester city centre[5]
Want more local politics stories? Here are the latest on Gloucestershire politics[6]
Two residents have raised concerns over the scheme which they say will increase traffic congestion along Great Western Road/Horton Road and will have an impact on parking.
“Many members of the day-centre reablement and respite service community at Headway House travel by road, either using mobility scooters, wheel-chair adapted vehicles, taxis or private cars and it being vital that attenders continue to have unimpeded access to Headway House via their small private car park,” they said.
The Civic Trust also raised concerns and said it considers the terraced housing in the development left something to be desired. “Some houses are not aligned to benefit from winter sunshine and no evidence that thought has been given to summer solar gain,” they said.
“The glazing on some designs is reasonable but others show no consistency of size and shape and therefore are ugly. Overall the Trust considers it could be better without much effort.”
Eutopia Homes wants to develop 7.9 acres of land made up of former railway sidings and depot and commercial business premises in Great Western Road. (Image: Eutopia Homes/Gloucester City Council)
Lorna Henderson, Director at Eutopia Homes, previously said Great Western Yard will help address the stark supply-demand housing imbalance in Gloucester. The city has the foundations to become an economic focal point of the South West but suffers from a shortage of high-quality housing, she said.
“We are investing in Gloucester[7] for the long term through the provision of new housing, as well as direct and indirect support for the local economy, including through the creation of construction jobs. The council outlined its long-held ambition for the redevelopment of this brownfield site and we have worked closely with them throughout this process. We look forward to reinventing this neglected site into one that serves a purpose for the local community.”
Overall, Gloucester City Council[8] officers have recommended granting permission. They say but the final decision will be made by councillors next week. The planning committee is due to consider the scheme at their meeting on December 5.
References
- ^ 315 homes (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Great Western Road (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Planning permission was approved for (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Hundreds take part in pro-Palestine march in Gloucester city centre (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Here are the latest on Gloucestershire politics (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucester (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)
- ^ Gloucester City Council (www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk)