Bath-based architects and planning consultants Nash Partnership have secured outline planning consent on a major residential development near Cheltenham Racecourse – the largest it has handled in its 25 years in business.
The practice was appointed in 2008 by Gloucestershire County Council, which owns the 12.2-hectare greenfield site at Starvehall Farm, Prestbury.
Plans for the 300-home development were opposed by some local people who feared the loss of open countryside. The plans were revised several times during the design and planning process and the Nash planning team held a series of consultation sessions with the local community, parish council and Cheltenham Borough Council, as the planning authority.
The county council’s view was that the site could contribute significantly to the lack of affordable housing in the area and create a more vibrant and sustainable community.
Nash was commissioned by the county council to prepare the initial masterplan and design code utilising a wealth of urban design, planning, masterplanning and specialist technical consultancy experience.
Nash associate planner Duncan Powell said: “We are delighted to have finally secured planning permission on the Starvehall Farm site after many years of consultation and deliberation.
“There is a real need for quality, affordable housing in the area and our masterplan enabled the council to fully utilise this greenfield site, creating housing for a new generation who we hope will enhance the local community.”
The scheme is to be featured in a new BBC2 series with the working title The Planners which will be screened next spring with commentary from Nash senior partner Edward Nash and Duncan Powell.
Nash Partnership is a multi-disciplinary practice specialising in offering architectural, planning and regeneration advice to clients with challenging sites. It employs more than 30 staff and as well as its Bath headquarters it also has an office in Bristol. It has won a number of awards for its heritage, regeneration and planning projects.
