The Site previously formed part of a wider outline planning permission (ref: 18/00249/OUT) approved for mixed-use development, comprising up to 215 dwellings, up to 2.24 hectares of employment land, and up to 0.2 hectares of retail uses, with public open space, landscaping, sustainable urban drainage, and associated works.

The residential element of that scheme is now under construction, providing high-quality new homes which are already contributing to the local housing supply. The adjoining employment land has since been granted planning permission, subject to a Section 106 Agreement, for a new health and fitness leisure centre, further diversifying the mix of uses within the wider site.

Since the original permission was granted, there has been limited commercial interest in the retail element of the scheme, reflecting both changes in market conditions and evolving consumer trends away from small-scale local retail provision. This has provided an opportunity to review how the remaining land can best be used to support the needs of the community and contribute to a sustainable, cohesive neighbourhood.

The Council cannot currently demonstrate a five-year housing land supply. The Council is currently only able to demonstrate 3.65 years of housing supply, which falls short of the Government’s requirement. In light of this shortfall, national planning policy gives added weight to approving sustainable developments, like this one, to help meet local housing needs.

Bishops Cleeve has been recognised as a sustainable location for new development by Tewkesbury Borough Council within their Tewkesbury Borough Plan 2011 – 2031 (adopted June 2022), being categorised as a ‘Rural Service Centres’, a suitable location for housing and employment developments. This demonstrates that Bishops Cleeve is considered a sustainable location providing a wide range of facilities, employment opportunities, education provision, leisure and sports and public transport.

In light of the above, Spitfire Homes considers that introducing new homes on this part of the Site represents a more suitable and beneficial use of the land. The proposed residential development would help to address local housing needs, make efficient use of a sustainably located site, and complement the surrounding mix of residential and leisure uses.