Place – our core propositions

Gloucestershire Spatial Development Strategy: greater clarity for local communities, developers, and decision makers on the long-term land-use planning strategy to meet the full range of housing and employment needs, supported by strategic and community infrastructure delivered in the right places at the right time. 

We will have a vibrant, successful county where communities and businesses flourish by taking advantage of Gloucestershire’s location, characteristics, and its economic strengths.

• Work across six Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) to agree a shared vision for the county which provides the basis of a new long-term Gloucestershire Growth Plan and Spatial Development Strategy.
• Build on the Gloucestershire Statement of Common Ground, while making best use of existing statutory and non-statutory partnerships and joint working arrangements.

Future of inward investment: to consolidate a world-class inward investment offer that continues to successfully promote investment from outside the county as a driver for growth.

Gloucestershire will be an area that attracts high-value investment from the UK and abroad, through a coordinated effort from local partners such as Western Gateway.

• Leverage the county’s strategic location, world-class infrastructure, skilled workforce and sector specialisms to attract businesses to the area.
• Provide and clearly signpost support and guidance on decarbonisation and funding sources, offering personalised and bespoke support that caters to businesses’ unique needs where possible.

Infrastructure funding: a fundamental aspect of achieving sustainable development is providing infrastructure in the right place and at the right time.

• The county’s infrastructure needs will be fully identified to ensure they are financially viable and deliverable within the timeframe they are required. This will be captured within one fully costed county-wide Infrastructure Delivery Strategy agreed by county council and the six LPAs.
• The city and town centres across the county will be regenerated and repurposed to be fit for 2050 to provide vibrant hubs for culture and employment across Gloucestershire.

• GCC to undertake a countywide Infrastructure Needs Assessment to inform a future Infrastructure Delivery Strategy, working with the six LPAs, to include a reviewed developer contribution system to support strategic infrastructure delivery.
• Work with colleagues from the six LPAs to agree a set of Planning Application Protocols covering all tiers of local government to ensure consistency and transparency within the planning system.
• Support the delivery of strategically essential upgrades to the transport network including upgrades to M5 J10 and M5 J9 and the realignment of the A46 and completion of the A417 Missing Link, while continuing to deliver local improvements to the walking, cycling and passenger transport networks.
• Form a commission, reporting to the City Region Board, to identify the breadth and scope of regeneration projects required to enhance our town centres.

Strengthening key sectors: build on Gloucestershire’s strengths in Cyber (Golden Valley and Cyber Central), Agri-Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Tourism to drive investment.

• Gloucestershire will have consolidated its reputation as one of the world’s most advanced and innovative cyber and digital technology clusters and develop its position as the “cradle of cyber-tech innovation”.
• Gloucestershire’s Cyber cluster will be internationally renowned and benefit through increased collaboration across the Western Gateway region making it the best place to start and grow a digital business in the UK.
• The county will be renowned for its role in developing industry-changing technology in agri-tech, sustainable aviation and advanced manufacturing.
• The agriculture sector will be decarbonised through investment in innovative techniques and technology, while retaining jobs and improving food security.
• Gloucestershire will be a leading county in clean energy generation retaining the nuclear investment and jobs in our county.
• Gloucestershire will be a leading authority in promoting sustainable tourism, ensuring visitors enjoy all the county has to offer while protecting the environment and boosting the local economy.

• Work with the private sector to identify the global demand for new technology in the food chain, for example, the need for cyber security as digitalisation encompasses every aspect of the food chain.
• Identify the opportunities from the Golden Valley development for the whole county to grow sustainable prosperity across Gloucestershire’s Cyber cluster.
• Deliver stronger digital and regional transport links between sector clusters across the Western Gateway area enabling greater collaboration and improvements in economic agglomeration.
• Identify the routes to grow and transform manufacturing as industries seek reshoring.
• Grow high value sustainable tourism by promoting Gloucestershire’s year-round attractiveness through its landscape, food offer and heritage thereby extending the average length of stay.

Energy: to keep investing in the low carbon and renewable energy sector and investigate new forms of alternative energy.

All sectors will have moved to renewable, and zero carbon energy and energy production will be carbon zero.

Develop a plan to improve low carbon and alternative forms of energy generation and encourage greater adoption of green energy and sustainable energy practices.

Digital infrastructure: to ensure high quality gigabit-capable digital networks and pervasive mobile coverage is accessible across the county so urban and rural communities and businesses can rely on fast and reliable digital connections to enable home and office working.

• We want businesses and residents to have no barriers to robust digital infrastructure enabling development and use of digital technologies that benefit our economy and society.
• We want our SMEs to make better use of digital technology to deliver more impact in businesses with lower levels of productivity.

• Provide support to Government as they manage the delivery of Project Gigabit.
• Promote the Gloucestershire Digital Household Grant to premises not upgraded to Superfast Broadband to fund a 4G based solution.
• Support rollout of 5G infrastructure where deployment occurs in accordance with the Codes of Practice and existing regulations to minimise the impact on communities and the environment.

Biodiversity recovery: to keep improving the natural environment and protecting these assets, while delivering economic development through business growth, sustainable tourism, infrastructure and transport connectivity.

We want everybody to benefit from Gloucestershire’s outstanding landscapes as the county becomes a leader in biodiversity recovery and conservation with at least 10% net gain regenerated through innovation and social value in all major investments.

• Promote and highlight that biodiversity and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, for example sustainable farming, green infrastructure, and sustainable tourism.
• Underscore the importance of protecting the natural environment through biodiversity net gain, reducing waste, supporting sustainable farming, and lowering individual carbon footprints.

Environment: protect and repair Gloucestershire’s natural assets by prioritising the transition to a green economy.

Gloucestershire’s economy will be maturing as it continues to operate on a carbon net-zero basis from 2045.

• Support the development of technological solutions in aviation, manufacturing and digital that can decarbonise industries.
• Improve the conditions required to sustainably grow the agri-tech sector to deliver farming efficiencies and food security.
• Provide and clearly signpost support for farmers on climate targets to help diversify farm operations and be more resilient.