The final consultation on the plan for 43,879 homes runs from 16 November to 4pm on 31 December. There is a drop-in at Regent Arcade on 27 November.

The last public consultation on the plan that decides where homes go around Cheltenham until 2043 opens on Monday 16 November. It runs until 4pm on Thursday 31 December.

The Strategic and Local Plan makes room for 43,879 homes across Cheltenham, Gloucester and Tewkesbury borough. All three councils have now approved it for consultation, according to the plan’s own website. (Strategic and Local Plan news, 13 November 2026)

Overview

  • Opens: Monday 16 November 2026.
  • Closes: 4pm on Thursday 31 December 2026. The councils say late comments may not be accepted.
  • Where: the consultation page of the Strategic and Local Plan website, which will carry the response form once the consultation begins.
  • In person in Cheltenham: Regent Arcade, High Street, on Friday 27 November, 9.30am to 5.30pm.

Why the dates moved

The councils say the start date was moved slightly so they could be certain every statutory consultee had received notice of the launch. They give the reason as the Microsoft service disruption.

The consultation has to finish by the end of December. A government direction of 23 October lets the councils submit the plan by 31 March 2027, but only if the final consultation is over by then. (Strategic and Local Plan news, 26 October 2026)

Drop-in sessions

The councils have arranged three drop-ins of their own. Planning officers will also attend some of the county council’s sessions on a separate countywide strategy, including one at Cheltenham Library.

Date Place Time
Wednesday 18 November Cheltenham Library, Clarence Street (county council session) 3.30pm to 6pm
Friday 27 November Regent Arcade, High Street, Cheltenham 9.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday 28 November Eastgate Shopping Centre, Gloucester 9.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday 5 December Units 1 and 2, Bishops Walk, Tewkesbury 9.30am to 5.30pm

(Strategic and Local Plan consultations page)

What the plan says about Cheltenham

The biggest sites near the town are 2,500 homes on land next to North West Cheltenham, 2,000 at West Cheltenham and 1,500 at South Cheltenham, beside Up Hatherley. There are 1,000 more east of Swindon Village. Our report on the final draft lists every strategic site and the larger sites inside the town, including 271 homes at Cavendish House.

A second consultation at the same time

Gloucestershire County Council is running its own early engagement on a new Spatial Development Strategy. It covers the whole county and looks at where homes, jobs, transport and other infrastructure could go. It is separate from the local plan.

That engagement closes on Monday 14 December. It asks what the strategy should focus on before any drafting begins. As well as the Cheltenham Library drop-in on 18 November, there is an online webinar on Monday 23 November from 6pm to 7pm. (Gloucestershire County Council, November 2026)

What it means for you

  • This is the last formal round before an inspector. At this stage, comments are about whether the plan is legally compliant and “sound”, not a general vote for or against a site.
  • Check whether a site near you is included before you write. The full plan is on the Strategic and Local Plan website.
  • Do not leave it to New Year’s Eve. Responses must arrive by 4pm on 31 December, and the councils have warned that late ones may not count.
  • The county strategy closes earlier, on 14 December, at gloucestershire.gov.uk/SDS.

Until the new plan is adopted, planning applications are still decided under the Joint Core Strategy and the Cheltenham Plan.

Sources