Cheltenham homes plan to be considered despite climate change controversy
The decision to develop land for 350 new homes was previously dismissed by Cheltenham Borough Council but, the verdict is now being challenged by Miller Homes.
Last year, Miller Homes, a development organisation who, over the last 85 years, have built thousands of new homes across England, submitted plans to build 350 new homes, 140 of them were due to be affordable, on 44.6 acres of land at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham.
However, plans included fitting the homes with gas boilers, which caused the local authority to reject them. At a meeting in April 2022, several councillors said the proposed scheme was ‘a kick in the teeth of the town’s bid to tackle climate change’.
Following this, the development company have challenged the decision and now a planning inquiry is due to take place at the Municipal Offices in Promenade at 10am on 4th July to decide whether permission should be granted.
Despite not adhering to the councils plans to tackle the current climate crisis, the original plans, whilst proposing to build over 300 new homes, outlined plans to include new cycleways and footpaths with an aim to reduce the amount of transport on roads.
In addition, the new estate also had plans to create a public open space, children’s play area and a community orchard and allotments to ensure more people were getting outside.
Independent planning consultant, Paul Hill, spoke in favour of the plans at the time and said the scheme proposed a 31% reduction of CO2 emissions beyond what was required by building regulations.
At the beginning of 2022 new rules were published by the government in a bid to cut carbon emissions of new builds which claim they must be 30% lower than current standards. Similarly, after the tragic case of Grenfell Tower in London, development companies have been making the switch to using more sustainable building materials to ensure nothing like that ever happens again.
Cllr Hill said: ‘This will significantly reduce reliance on controversial gas boiler usage in all homes across the site. While it may be possible for smaller, bespoke developments to propose zero carbon schemes, it is simply not the case for a development of this scale with all its infrastructure burdens to do so and neither is that a requirement of your policies.’
At the planning inquiry that is due to held next month, residents will be able to speak at the appeal if they make themselves known to the council ahead of the meeting.
Image: Ross Attwood