Plan for 12,000 homes halted over traffic concerns

A Gloucestershire council has again been advised to withdraw a major plan for 12,000 new homes, after being told new evidence will not be considered by inspectors.

Stroud District Council was asked earlier this year by government-appointed planning inspectors to withdraw their local plan amid concerns over capacity at junctions 12 and 14 of the M5.

Serious concerns were raised over the need to upgrade the junctions to accommodate the housing growth, which is expected to rise further.

Leader Chloe Turner said the council "fundamentally disagrees" with the inspectors.

Stroud District Council wrote to the inspectors examining the draft local plan in July, requesting that they consider new evidence submitted by National Highways, on the capacity of M5 junctions 12 and 14.

This evidence addressed concerns previously raised during the examination of the local plan, regarding the junctions and represented a significant material change.

In light of this, the council asked the inspectors to consider holding a further hearing session to examine the implications of the new evidence and its impact on the overall soundness of the plan.

However, the council has now received a response from the inspectors which maintains that "withdrawal of the Stroud District local plan review from examination is the most appropriate way forward", the inspectors have also confirmed that they do not intend to reopen the hearings.

"The council fundamentally disagrees with the inspectors' interpretation of the new evidence, and will be responding formally in due course," Ms Turner said.

The council continues to have a local plan, which has been the basis for determining planning applications since its adoption in 2015.

According to the council this means they still have a strong basis for refusing unsuitable development, protecting the environment and ensuring vital infrastructure is still delivered alongside new homes and jobs.

The council has committed to preparing a new local plan that will set out a strategic vision for development over the next 20 years.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.