Demolition of city's only tower block rejected

Plans to demolish a city's only high-rise housing block to make way for 36 new homes have been rejected due to parking concerns.

Gloucester City Homes (GCH) wanted to demolish 11-storey Clapham Court tower and redevelop the site off Alvin Street in Kingsholm.

The proposals for 36 homes, a community garden and a pharmacy were refused by the Gloucester City Council on Tuesday.

A GCH spokesperson said: "We intend to resubmit our plans as soon as possible, ensuring the plans deliver maximum community benefits."

Under the proposals, the housing would be split between three blocks, with a pharmacy proposed within the ground floor beneath the six-storey block of flats.

Objections to the proposals were raised by 16 residents because of parking, and planning officers recommended the committee refused planning permission, the Local Democracy Reporting Service reports.

Councillor Pam Tracey said it was already "horrendous to park" on Alvin Street, which is close to the city centre, Gloucester Rugby's Kingsholm stadium, a primary school, small cinema and community cafe.

"And what do we do on rugby days?" she asked.

"It’s not going to work. You’ve got the school, the cinema… I’m just worried about all those residents."

But councillor Alastair Chambers said Clapham Court was not fit for purpose and there is a desperate need for homes.

The current tower block is 60 years old and GCH said it has high maintenance costs.

"We've got more rough sleepers this year than last year," he said.

"I can’t believe people are thinking about voting against [the plan]. Our city needs houses."

Chairman Angela Conder proposed rejecting the scheme and it was rejected by eight votes to two.

Guy Stenson, chief executive of GCH, said they would be resubmitting the application "as soon as possible" and said the plans had been put forward after months of discussions.

He said they would work with the council and residents to address some of the concerns, and added: "Gloucester needs more affordable homes, especially social housing."

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