Greenbelt land homes disappointment in Gloucester
More than 6,000 new homes are likely to be built on greenbelt land between Gloucester and Cheltenham over the next 20 years.
Representatives from government, business and environmental groups voted on the draft regional spatial strategy before it is submitted to government.
A county council spokesman described the result as "very disappointing" for the residents of Gloucestershire.
The strategy also approved two new areas of greenbelt.
These are to the north and north west of Bishop's Cleeve and south and south west of Gloucester.
'Urban extensions'
Councillor Shaun Parsons, cabinet member with responsibility for planning said: "This outcome is very disappointing for the residents of Gloucestershire.
"We had made our position very clear in previous meetings not to build on the greenbelt and advised that there be no development before 2026.
"This could mean the death of Gloucestershire's thriving rural economy," he said
The two urban extensions are located in the green belt. They are north of Gloucester (where 2,000 houses are planned) and north west of Cheltenham (where 4,000 houses are planned).
The urban extensions will also include community facilities and areas of employment.
Following this meeting, the South West Regional Assembly will run a full public consultation lasting three months, before the regional examination in public takes place in early 2007.
The meeting held at the South West Regional Assembly in Exeter, considered the draft regional spatial strategy, a document setting out housing numbers for the next 20 years. The meeting allowed members of local authorities to vote on the plan before it is submitted to the Government Office of the South West.
Date: Monday 17th April, 2006
