Content of the JCS Consultation Document
The full consultation document can be found here.
There are several sections to the document on which the three councils (Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury) wish to have feedback:
- THE VISION
The VISION for the whole strategy is to 'foster growth in the local economy and provide sufficient homes including affordable homes in sustainable locations without increasing the risk of flooding or harming high quality landscape whilst maintaining and enhancing the separate vitality, identity and character of individual settlements.'
- NUMBER OF NEW HOMES AND THEIR BROAD LOCATIONS
The document sets out 4 scenarios (A, B, C and D) for the numbers of homes to be provided and their broad locations. There are maps and a commentary on each scenario to show how that scenario matches the vision and population and employment forecasts.
- BASIS FOR DECISIONS ABOUT ADDRESSING ANY SHORTFALL IN DEVELOPMENT
Each of the scenarios involves a shortfall of new homes compared to projected requirements. The councils have identified 3 themes and want to know which theme should be the priority for making decisions about development in the later years of the plan. The 3 themes are:
Theme 1: Maximising economic opportunities
Theme 2: Protecting the Green Belt to prevent the coalescence (joining up) of Gloucester and Cheltenham, and of Cheltenham and Bishop's Cleeve
Theme 3: Making the best use of existing infrastructure (e.g. development based along existing roads, rail, services, etc)
- SETTLEMENT HIERARCHY
There is a proposed settlement hierarchy which shows what sort of growth is proposed for different settlements - whether it be new homes or different types of employment development. The settlements are placed in tiers based on population and services available.
- POLICIES
There are a number of policy statements on which comments are invited in the last 10 questions of the consultation document. These relate to:
- Proposed long term planning framework for the JCS
- Meeting affordable housing needs
- Rural exception sites
- Green Belt
- Flood risk and water management
- Town centre development
- Gypsy and traveller accommodation
There are a variety of ways in which people can respond to the consultation including:
- Online here.
- By email to info@gct-jcs.org.
- By attending and making comments at one of the consultation events (exhibitions). Details can be found here.
- By post to Joint Core Strategy Team, Municipal Offices, Promenade, Cheltenham GL50 9SA.
- There is also a JCS Team telephone number for questions - 0800 073 1441.