Gloucestershire plans to construct 35,700 new homes across Cheltenham, Gloucester, and Tewkesbury over the next two decades. This sweeping initiative, part of the strategic local plan for the three districts, is now open for public consultation, signaling a pivotal moment for residential growth in the region.

The proposed development strategy outlines a mix of urban concentration, extensions, new strategic settlements, rural dispersal, and sustainable transport-focused housing solutions. With a yearly target of 600 new homes in each district, the plan allocates 13,620 homes to Gloucester, 11,140 to Tewkesbury, and 10,940 to Cheltenham.

Residents are encouraged to voice their opinions on six potential approaches to meet these ambitious housing targets. These include maximizing urban spaces in Cheltenham and Gloucester through higher buildings and the repurposing of retail areas, extending existing urban areas possibly into greenbelt lands, creating new settlements such as a garden village in Boddington, distributing growth across rural settings, and aligning new housing with high-frequency public transport corridors to promote sustainability.

This call for public engagement presents a unique opportunity for the community to shape the future of housing in Gloucestershire. With such a significant number of homes on the horizon, developers and local residents alike are poised to play a crucial role in determining how and where these developments unfold. The consultation period offers a platform for all stakeholders to contribute to a vision that balances growth with sustainability, community needs, and environmental considerations.

As the region gears up for two decades of substantial housing development, the outcomes of this consultation will undoubtedly influence Gloucestershire’s landscape, community dynamics, and regional economy. The strategic local plan not only charts a course for meeting housing demands but also reflects a broader commitment to thoughtful, inclusive, and sustainable development practices that will benefit current and future generations.