On the 25th October Stroud’s Development Control Committee  considered aspects of the Eastington area ‘masterplan’ for the WoS development - namely whether or not ‘Condition 46’ was being  been fulfilled. Condition 46 refers, among other things, to strategic landscaping within the site and along the boundaries and is meant to “allow a quality development, which is also sympathetic to the surrounding hamlets and landscape”.

Both the Parish Council and residents had submitted their concerns - a major one being  the  lack of a ‘buffer’ zone protecting the integrity of Nupend (as the Local Plan and the Neighbourhood Plans require). Stephen Davies, our Local Councillor, sat through the meeting until almost 11pm to make the point that the structural buffers must be included and John Longmuir, senior planner, also supported this approach.

Other concerns were raised, and the Officers have requested some changes to the document.  

These include more details of the potential buffer for Nupend,  a pedestrian route across the site near the Western entrance, the removal of two potential vehicle access points along Nupend Lane, more details on sustainable design and a review of buildings and building heights especially along Grove Lane.

The committee voted to accept the document subject to the above.

I think we should be concerned at this stage that the WoS outline planning application (approved last January) ignores  significant elements of SDC policy.

 The strategic objective was for WoS to be an “urban extension” to Stonehouse.  In particular, the policy requires the Council to “promote opportunities to improve transport connectivity with Stonehouse …... for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and private car”.

To date this has been ignored and there seem to be no plans to create good links between the new estate and Stonehouse itself.

Daniel James