Cheltenham Civic Society speak out against housing plans

​Architectural guardians have spoken out against a proposed housing development in Cheltenham.

Galliard has submitted plans to Cheltenham Borough Council to build 190 two-bedroom and three-bedroom homes on 10.4 hectares to the north of the town, between Swindon Lane and Hunting Butts Farm. The site is across the A435 Evesham Road from Cheltenham Racecourse.

The proposals include dozens of affordable houses, after the company claimed the town was hundreds of homes short of current requirements.

But Cheltenham Civic Society says the proposed development is not a necessity..

In a report, it said: “We do not think this site, which has considerable landscape value, should be considered for development until other more appropriate sites have been developed in the context of the regional spatial strategy issues.

“Even if the site were considered for development, we would not favour the very conventional and unimaginative layout.”

Last year, Galliard angered councillors by releasing what they called deliberately misleading press releases.

The firm claimed the authority had admitted 3,000 households were waiting for social housing, with 100 applications being submitted each month.

Councillors said although the figures were broadly correct they had been taken out of context.

Galliard also launched a website where people are able to comment on suggested housing shortages in Cheltenham borough.

The firm hoped this could be used to support its bid, but the effort backfired when most posts were against its proposal.