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Worry over bid to replace tower block with estate

Google A high-rise tower block called Clapham Court in Gloucester with some trees and parked cars in front of it. The picture is taken on a sunny day with blue skyGoogle
Clapham Court is Gloucester's only high-rise residential tower block

Plans to demolish a high-rise residential block to make way for 36 new homes have sparked concerns over parking.

Gloucester City Homes want to demolish Clapham Court in Kingsholm and redevelop the site.

Their proposal, which is due before Gloucester City Council’s planning committee next week, includes building 36 homes, a community garden and a pharmacy.

About 16 residents have objected to the proposals and raised concerns about parking, with only nine spaces included in the proposal.

Gloucester City Homes A computer-generated image showing the plans for the new housing estate at Clapham Court. The buildings are a mixture of red and stone coloured and have areas of green space around them and parked carsGloucester City Homes
The plans for Clapham Court include the construction of 36 homes, a community garden and a pharmacy

The housing would be split between three blocks, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The new development at the site off Alvin Street will comprise of two and three storey terraced houses, a six-storey block of flats and a pharmacy.

Liberal Democrat councillor Jeremy Hilton raised a formal objection and called for the proposals to be referred to the committee.

He said he is not opposed to the principle of redeveloping but has concerns over the lack of parking, as previous residents "mostly didn’t have a car".

“The change to 84 rooms in 36 one to four bedroomed homes will dramatically change the demographics of the new tenants.

“They will be younger, live in family units of two or more and will much more likely have motor vehicles.

“The provision of nine spaces is woefully inadequate," he added.

Gloucester City Homes A computer generated image showing the plans for the new housing estate at Clapham Court. The buildings are a mixture of red and stone coloured and there are landscaped garden areas between them and people sitting on benchesGloucester City Homes
Gloucester City Homes say the new estate will replace the existing 'bulky and slab-like' tower

Gloucester City Homes said the existing tower had "been described by city policy as poorly design, bulky and 'slab'-like, which is visible within the city skyline and competes with historic structures".

New structures built to lower height will reduce impact on skyline and open up distant views to cathedral and other historic elements, they said.

Planning officers recommended the committee should refuse planning permission.

The say proposal would lead to substantial overlooking and overbearing impacts and in addition a negative impact on light to one property that would be significantly harmful to the living conditions of residents.

Councillors will consider the proposals at their meeting on 3 December.

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