PCC accuses planners of “caring more about bats than the police”

• Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner has criticised planning officers after an application for a major new housing development was approved
• The multi-million pound Elms Park project will provide more than 4,000 new homes, hotel, doctors’ surgery, sports hub, community centre and schools on land between Tewkesbury and Cheltenham
• PCC Chris Nelson previously asked planners to pause granting permission for the scheme to allow the Constabulary’s legitimate case for financial support for a police station to be considered
• “Officers seem more concerned about providing for the needs of bats than the police!” he said.

Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) expressed his bitter disappointment with planners after an application for a major new housing development was approved.

Developers Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes want to build more than 4,000 homes on 620 acres of land between Tewkesbury and Cheltenham near to Junction 10 of the M5.

The scheme known as Elms Park would transform the largest ever area of greenbelt in the UK into a new town, and include a 25-acre business park, 100/200-bed hotel, a doctors’ surgery, sports hub, community centre and three schools – but nothing for the police.

PCC Chris Nelson lobbied local councillors to put the plans on-hold to allow them more time to consider provision for the prevention of potential crime and disorder. Instead, both Tewkesbury and Cheltenham Borough Councils’ planning committees voted in favour as recommended by council officers.

Mr. Nelson said: “Elms Park seems to be a well-designed development, with something in it for everyone – apart from the police!

“I make no criticism of members, my frustration is with planning officers and the planning system. Officers seem more concerned about providing for the needs of bats than the police!

“Their [planning officers] report is clearly flawed in how they have handled our legitimate claim for Section 106 financial support for police infrastructure. 

“We will try one last time to point this out to the authorities, but if that fails, we will consider a Ministerial call-in or judicial review, to secure the £1.5M needed to support a police presence in the new development. 

“Without that money, residents in Elms Park and the surrounding areas will suffer a diminished service from the Constabulary, likely leading to higher crime levels and anti-social behaviour”.

The Elms Park development has been in the offing for more than a decade. There have been more than 180 public comments on the application and more than 30 from consultees.

Paragraph 101 of the National Planning Policy Framework specifically requires local planning authorities to work proactively and positively with promoters, delivery partners and statutory bodies to make sure that required blue light public service infrastructure is in place to support proposals for development.

Gloucestershire Constabulary first became aware of plans to develop the site in 2014. It was after a planning application was lodged in 2022, the Constabulary says planning officers failed to engage over how the impact on policing and community safety could be mitigated.