Homes planned for former EDF site

A former EDF site could be demolished to make way for nearly 300 new homes.

The energy company hopes to transform its former offices on Barnett Way, in the Barnwood area of Gloucester, into 281 new homes, with a mix of houses and apartments, and space for businesses.

EDF left the site in 2022, moving to new offices at Gloucester Business Park.

According to the plans submitted to Gloucester City Council, the site's arboretum and coach house will be retained, along with the bowling green and tennis courts, which will be made more accessible to the local community.

The homes will be a mix of houses and apartments, with the plans also including up to 8000 sq m (86,111 sq ft) of employment floorspace.

Infrastructure improvements would include new roadways, a public open space, play areas and leisure facilities, while access to the site off Barnett Way will be retained for the proposed development.

The design and access statement, released by developer Robert Limbrick, said the location "makes it an ideal and sustainable location for both residential and employment uses due to to its workable distance to other employment areas and local facilities".

"The existing arboretum is a key asset for the site and links back to the history and sense of place of Barnwood," it added.

One of the largest employers in Gloucestershire, staff moved to Gloucester Business Park after 40 years of being based in Barnwood as the offices were deemed too big for the 1,100 employees.

One resident has submitted an objection to the plans, claiming the development could create more congestion.

They wrote that surveys carried out by the developer "did not reflect peak-hour gridlock and operational constraints at the Corinium Roundabout".

A consultation on the plans closes on 2 July.

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