Contentious housing plan approved

Minister Hazel Blears said the development should be phased

Proposals for a controversial housing development on the border of Gloucester and Stroud have been supported by a government planning inspector.

The 1,700-home Hunts Grove scheme was examined by a public inquiry after the MPs for the two areas intervened.

Communities Secretary Hazel Blears was said to be minded to agree with the inspector's recommendation.

But she ruled that the scheme should be phased so it had no detrimental effect on the regeneration of Gloucester.

Politicians divided

The proposed development, on farmland between Quedgeley and the M5, has divided local politicians.

Stroud MP David Drew said housing should be dispersed throughout the district, rather than concentrated in one place.

Gloucester MP Parmjit Dhanda was concerned that while the owners of the new homes would look to the city for services, the money would end up in the "back pockets" of Stroud District Council.

He said the decision was disappointing.

"I do feel somewhat hung out to dry," he said.

"Not only did we have Stroud district against us, we also had Gloucestershire County Council against us.

"They gave us the impression they were going to be against the development, but when it came down to it, they backed it."

The county council denied this. Councillor Julie Girling said: "He's been hung out to dry by his own boss Hazel Blears. She's the one who has signed this off and accepted this development.

"The county council's strategic planning powers were withdrawn by this government, the labour government, and handed to the regional assembly - an unelected body - that was all done whilst Parmjit has been an MP."

However, Stroud district councillors were strongly in favour of the development.

In the final report, Mrs Blears said: "Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the local planning authority, no more than 200 dwellings per annum may be constructed between the period 30 June 2011 to 30 June 2016.

"In any event, no more than 1,500 dwellings hereby permitted shall be occupied prior to 30 June 2016."