Petition launched against homes plan for pub site

HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition against plans to build houses where a pub should have gone up in a new Bishop’s Cleeve estate.

Rooftop Housing Association has lodged plans to build 22 affordable homes on the plot opposite the medical centre and what will become a parade of shops in the Cleevelands estate.

Pub group Marston’s was originally given permission in February 2020 for a 150 cover pub and restaurant on the site but the group decided against moving ahead with the project.

Now permission is sought by Rooftop to build 10 flats and 12 houses on the site. But many neighbours are upset at the prospect of the houses being built.

One has written to Tewkesbury Borough Council planners saying: “The area is crying out for a community resource. The estate houses a lot of people and our closest place to have a meal out or a few drinks or even get a coffee is a 20-25 minute walk away, too far for my 6 year old. When I bought my house, I was told that there were approved plans for a pub on this site. This was a major selling point for us.”

Another neighbour Sian Potter has started a petition against giving the plans permission. It says: “This land is still designated as retail/leisure. I’m sure that this will be a disappointment to many - some of us were told that this would be an added facility on the estate, during initial sales talks. Housing on that corner of land will add to the already problematic parking issues.”

The petition has been signed by more than 250 people and is available at Change.org

Rooftop, which has offices in Gloucester and Evesham, specialises in affordable rental accommodation.

Its application says: “The objectives for the development are to offer a range of accommodation, providing for single occupancy up to family accommodation, whilst also delivering at a density that is appropriate to the High Street context.