There is only one long-term resident living at the 1960s tower block
Plans to demolish residential tower block Clapham Court have been given the go-ahead. (Image: Carmelo Garcia)
Gloucester’s skyline will be changed forever as plans to demolish “eyesore” high-rise tower block Clapham Court have finally been approved.
A scheme to knock down the 11-storey Alvin Street building was given the go-ahead by city planners on Tuesday night (October 6).
The Gloucester City Homes proposal will see the site redeveloped to provide 34 homes and a replacement pharmacy.
The tower block is made up of 80 one-bedroom flats for people aged 55 and over and there is currently only one long-term resident living there.
A previous planning application to redevelop the site was turned down by Gloucester City Council in 2024 but now a new scheme has been given the go-ahead.
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The new proposals include a mix of 13 houses and 21 flats all of which would be affordable social rent.
Two parking areas are proposed within the site, one at the south east and the other at the south west both of which would be accessed from Alvin Street. These include a total of 21 spaces – the previous plans proposed only nine spaces.
The latest plans for Clapham Court were considered by city planners on October 6, 2026.(Image: GCH)
Concerns had been raised by residents ahead of the meeting that the proposal would cause “parking gridlock” amid complaints the street is already “full to maximum capacity of cars” and a petition opposing the scheme was signed by 66 people.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) told the planning committee that the latest scheme is an improvement but said concerns remain over the amount of planned parking spaces.
He said the tower block was built in 1963 and it was a “lovely community” and had been in it many times.
“I’m reluctant to see it go. But it’s clear Gloucester City Homes either refit it or they demolish and do a new build.”
Kingshom and Wotton councillor Jeremy Hilton speaking at the planning committee meeing in North Warehouse on October 6, 2026.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
He said it is one of the safest tower blocks in the region from a fire safety aspect and few of the previous tenants had their own vehicle.
“Very few people had a car there,” he added.
“My concern is that we’ve got up to three bed units being put there. And the demographic will change to families and couples.
“They will be a much younger demographic so the car ownership will go up considerably.”
“Alvin Street is very congested.”
A general view of Alvin Street in Gloucester.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
He called for the new homes to only be allowed up to one residential parking permit each and for a temporary pharmacy to be provided while construction is underway.
Sara Hobbs spoke at the meeting on behalf of residents and businesses in Alvin street who are concerned about the impact the development will have on parking in the area.
She said there are currently ten “precious” residential parking spaces in Alvin Street that “barely accommodate residents’ needs”.
Sara Hobbs raised concerns at the meeting on behalf of residents and businesses from Alvin Street, Gloucester.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
“In the evening the area is rammed with cars. And there is a lot of illegal parking on neighbouring roads.”
She also said the current plans would bring in new families which will have extra cars and a suggestion that they would use public transport was “pie in the sky”.
Becky Brown, speaking on behalf of Gloucester City Homes, said they reviewed the previous plans to address the concerns.
She said: “That is 34 genuinely affordable homes for Gloucester residents secured in perpetuity.
Becky Brown spoke on behalf of Gloucester City Homes and highlighted the benefits of the new plans for Clapham Court.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
“No scheme is without its impacts. The officer report is balanced and candid about those impacts.
“Most importantly, though, it concludes the previous refusal reasons have been overcome and that any remaining harms are clearly outweighed by the benefits.
“The planning committee told us what we needed to change, we listened, we engaged and redesigned the scheme.”
She called on councillors to support the officer’s recommendation and grant permission.
During the debate, Councillor Roseanna Marshall (L, Barton and Tredworth) told the meeting she was “really pleased” with the improvements to the plans, which will provide a long-term investment for the city.
Plans to demolish Clapham Court in Alvin Street have been approved.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
“We need to put this through,” she said. “We need more affordable housing.”
She said she completely understands the parking situation but said the scheme is an improvement.
“We need to demolish this building and get rid of that eyesore to create new affordable homes,” she said.
Councillor Pam Tracey (C, Westgate) said she was happy with the designs of the homes but was very concerned about parking.
A plan showing the proposed layout of the development proposed for Clapham Court in Alvin Street.(Image: GCH)
“There’s going to be no parking for anyone,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of problems around that area.”
Councillor Liam Harries (LD, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said he was torn over the proposals and would abstain.
He said he could not see how the plans would not cause “parking chaos”.
“Families have cars, they just do,” he said.
Gloucester City Council’s planning committee at North Warehouse on October 6, 2026.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
However, Councillor John Jones (L, Kingsway) said the modern efficient homes would “plug a gap” in the housing need.
“These are social rent, affordable rent,” he said and added that transport links are within five minutes of the new development.
Councillor Stephanie Chambers (C, Quedgeley Fieldcourt) praised the collaborative working that has resulted in a “balanced” proposal.
She said the council has a duty to provide housing and they have a “huge” waiting list.
“We are in a housing crisis,” she said.
Clapham Court in Gloucester
“I absolutely understand that parking is going to be an issue but we are going to have many more applications come before us where we are going to look at a lot of city centres living with little parking.”
Councillor Angela Conder (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said it is a difficult area for parking but highlighted the benefits of the scheme such as open space.
“There’s an expression, don’t let the perfect get in the way of the good.
“We won’t get perfect but for me this is good enough.”
The planning committee voted to approve the plans for Clapham Court. There was one abstention.(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
Chairman Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) said the design of the buildings are very good but echoed the concerns over parking.
“This is an improvement, it’s not ideal but we are limited on space.”
He proposed granting permission in line with the officer’s recommendation, this was seconded by Cllr Jones
The committee voted to grant permission, with one councillor abstaining.