An imminent bid before Stroud planners could see a jobs bonanza, thanks to a repurpose of part of the former RAF Quedgeley site.

If the 8.22 hectare site which could cost £40m is approved, it will sit between the A38 and the 1,750-home new-build suburb Hunts Grove.

Launched by consultants P4 Planning, the Quadrant Distribution Centre site application seeks "outline permission for employment units with details of access for determination". Given approval, the zone would effectively be an extension to the Waterwells Business Park.

The bid sets development parameters, including overall floorspace, height and use class for the site near Hardwick. From the southern end of the site to the north, units would ascend in height from 11 metres to 13 and a final maximum of 16.5 metres.

The proposed area, accessed via Davy Way, is surrounded by employment land and borders the Shorn Brook, a biodiversity site, to its south side. The bid includes retained and additional landscaping, as well as flood attenuation and, if needed, noise reduction measures. Improved pedestrian and cycle links are also promised, as well as bus stops and better links on to Gloucester and the surrounding area.

A further section of the bid adds: "The proposal is in full accordance with the adopted Local Plan which designates this land for employment uses. Once complete and dependent on the end mix of uses, we estimate the site could generate circa 500 new jobs."

A pre-application consultation, sought in January 2022, was supported for employment use, says P4. Prior to that, a 2018 bid for homes on the site was refused. In total, costs for the development are put at between £30m and £40m.

Firm details of the final appearance, layout, landscaping and scale will be agreed later through reserved matters, says P4, once operators are secured.

Residents nearby and interested parties have until March 24 to respond to a survey  from P4 of their views. Hunts Grove Parish Council is encouraging residents to have their say.

Punchline says: It's early days, but if we're coming out of an economic winter, this is warming news of spring. We think planners did the right thing retaining the area for business back in 2018. Should it deliver on this early promise, that's a win-win – a square deal from the Quadrant!