The Development Control Committee of Stroud Council met on Tuesday 3 December 2024 to consider a range of planning applications and financial reports. Key discussions were scheduled to include the reserved matters for a new football stadium near Stonehouse, a proposed housing development at the Forest Green Rovers FC site, and a householder planning application in Painswick. The committee was also set to review budget monitoring reports for the current financial year and consider revenue estimates for the upcoming year.

Land at M5 Junction 13 West of Stonehouse, Eastington, Gloucestershire (S.23/1484/REM)

This application concerned the approval of reserved matters, specifically the layout, scale, external appearance, and landscaping, for a 5,000-capacity football stadium. This was part of an outline permission previously granted under reference S.19/1418/OUT. The site is located adjacent to Junction 13 of the M5 motorway and north of the A419.

Concerns were raised by Eastington Parish Council regarding potential traffic congestion on match days and the risk of visitors seeking free parking in Great Oldbury. They also objected to the development's suitability for a rural location, its impact on the local environment, and its contravention of local plan policies regarding development outside settlement limits and the Stroud Industrial Heritage Conservation Area. National Highways offered no objection, subject to landscaping requirements, and Gloucestershire County Council Highways also raised no objection. Sport England also raised no objection. The Cotswolds National Landscape Board did not object but requested to be consulted on the lighting design strategy. The recommendation was for approval, subject to conditions.

Forest Green Rovers FC, The New Lawn, Smiths Way, Forest Green (S.18/0815/OUT)

This item involved a resubmission for the demolition of the existing Forest Green Rovers FC stadium and redevelopment to provide up to 95 dwellings, community uses, landscaping, open space, and associated infrastructure. All matters were reserved except for access. The site is located on the western edge of Nailsworth.

Nailsworth Town Council expressed serious concerns about the density of the proposed development, exceeding local plan recommendations, and the impact on flood risk in Nailsworth, a priority flood risk town. They also highlighted a lack of on-site community open space and preferred off-site contributions to existing community assets. Nympsfield Parish Council objected due to concerns about traffic impacts on Tinkley Lane and at junctions within Nympsfield, citing the lane's poor condition and narrowness. Gloucestershire County Council Highways initially recommended deferral due to the need for updated transport assessments and travel plans, but later indicated no objection subject to conditions. Sport England raised no objection, provided a Grampian condition was attached ensuring the new stadium facilities were operational before demolition. The recommendation was to grant outline permission, subject to planning conditions and the completion of a Section 106 legal agreement.

Bentley Cottage, Vicarage Street, Painswick, Stroud (S.24/1747/HHOLD)

This application was for the erection of a two-storey side extension and a single-storey front extension at Bentley Cottage, located within the Painswick Conservation Area and near Grade II listed buildings. The site is also within the Cotswold National Landscape.

Painswick Parish Council objected on grounds of overdevelopment, impact on neighbouring properties' light and privacy, and harm to the heritage and character of the area. Numerous public representations also objected to the design, materials, visual impact, and overbearing nature of the proposed extensions, as well as concerns about noise, light disturbance, and highway safety during construction. The Cotswolds National Landscape Board offered standing advice. The Conservation Specialist noted less than substantial harm to heritage assets. Gloucestershire County Council Highways raised no objection. The recommendation was for refusal, citing incompatibility of the extensions' scale, form, and detailing with the host dwelling and the conservation area, as well as adverse impacts on residential amenity.

Budget Monitoring Report Q2 2024/25

This report presented the forecast outturn position against the revenue budgets for the Development Control Committee for the second quarter of the financial year 2024/25. It highlighted a projected net revenue overspend of £319,000. This was primarily attributed to a significant drop in planning application fee income, partly offset by an increase in pre-application fee income. A forecast for planning appeals, specifically in relation to the Cloverlea Barn Appeal, also contributed to the overspend. The report noted that the reduction in planning fee income was due to current economic uncertainty, a shortage of skilled labour, and increased costs.

Development Control Committee Revenue Estimates – Revised 2024/25 and Original 2025/26

This item presented the revised revenue budget estimates for the Development Control Committee for 2024/25 and the original estimates for 2025/26. The revised budget for 2024/25 was £293,000, with a projected net overspend of £319,000. The original estimate for the 2025/26 budget was £672,000, an increase of £344,000 on the base budget. This increase was largely due to a reduction in income from planning applications, an increase in staffing costs for the Biodiversity Net Gain officer post, and a proposed transfer to the Planning Appeal Reserve. The committee was asked to recommend these revised and original estimates for approval to the Strategy and Resources Committee. The report also included a schedule of fees and charges for planning applications, pre-application advice, and prior approval, with no changes proposed for the majority of fees from April 2025.