Plans to demolish city tower block submitted again

10 hours ago

Maisie LillywhiteGloucestershire

BBC Windows and balconies of a rundown 1960s tower block in Gloucester, which is rising against the grey sky. Bare branches can be seen hanging down from a tree. The tower block is mostly brick with green cladding on the windows and glass and red cladding on the balconies. — Clapham Court would be replaced with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom flats and homes, should the plans be approved

Revised plans to demolish a city's only tower block have been submitted and validated.

Gloucester City Homes has asked Gloucester City Council for permission to knock down Clapham Court, which has towered above Alvin Street in the Kingsholm area of the city for more than 60 years.

Jeremy Hilton, leader of the council, said the previous application was rejected in 2024 "due to shadowing effect on Union Street and the poor parking provision".

The plans include replacing the 11-storey tower block with a new building of between two and six storeys, containing 34 homes and flats, and Gloucester City Homes said improvements had been made to parking provision and the layout had changed.

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"We're proud to confirm that a revised planning application for Clapham Court has now been submitted to Gloucester City Council," a spokesperson for Gloucester City Homes said.

"As a local housing provider rooted in Gloucester, our purpose is to create safe, sustainable homes that help people and communities to thrive.

"This scheme reflects that commitment, delivering high-quality, energy-efficient, affordable homed, alongside improved green space and community facilities."

Gloucester City Homes said the revised plans "retain the strengths of [its] original proposals" but responded to feedback from residents and stakeholders regarding the layout and increasing parking provision.

An 11-storey 1960s tower block rises into a cloudy grey sky, surrounded by bare trees. — Clapham Court has towered above Kingsholm for more than 60 years

"We're committed to working with the community and the council to deliver a development that makes a positive, lasting contribution to Kingsholm and to the city as a whole," the spokesperson added.

The new homes would be a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom properties and there will also be parking, along with a new pharmacy, play area, and community garden.

Gloucester City Homes said in September 2025 the plans had been largely backed by residents following a consultation, which was attended by about 50 people.

80% of attendees believe the proposal is a "good idea", and 88% agreed it would either "definitely" or "possibly" offer local residents a better place to live.

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