Local leaders and residents in Cheltenham are raising concerns over a government-mandated housing target that requires the borough to plan for 16,420 new homes over the next 20 years. The target, which has been described as unrealistic due to the town being built up to its boundaries, is part of a wider development strategy involving neighbouring councils.
Max Wilkinson, the Member of Parliament for Cheltenham, has publicly opposed the figure, stating that the borough is unable to accommodate such a large number of properties given its current geographic limitations. His view is shared by Rowena Hay, the leader of Cheltenham Borough Council, who has also criticised the housing goals as being unachievable.
This development pressure is being managed through the Strategic and Local Plan, a project being developed in partnership with Gloucester City Council and Tewkesbury Borough Council. Officials are currently collecting public feedback as part of the planning process, which is set to run until June 2026. A final version of the plan is expected to be submitted to the government in October or November 2026.
The debate surrounding land use is not new to the area. The Save The Countryside campaign has been active since 2011, consistently opposing development projects on protected greenbelt land around the town. As these discussions continue, similar tensions are being felt in other parts of the region; for instance, the Member of Parliament for the Forest of Dean, Matt Bishop, has formally opposed plans for two new towns in his own constituency, arguing that housing development should be based on genuine local need rather than rigid government targets.
Residents who wish to contribute their views on the future of local land use can engage with the planning process before the public consultation period closes this summer.
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