Tewkesbury Borough Council's vote on the endorsement of the North Ashchurch Consortium's framework masterplan document, scheduled next Wednesday (May 14) has been withdrawn.

The North Ashchurch Garden Communities Framework Masterplan Document of the North Ashchurch Consortium (NAC) sets out the principles for the first phase of development.

But the programme's oversight board suggested that additional time should be allocated to fully understand how the principles were addressed before the masterplan was presented to council. The NAC also felt that if members were not adequately briefed, the paper should not proceed to council.

Following the initial award for Garden Town status in 2019, the area north of the MOD base at Ashchurch was identified as phase 1 for development. In 2022, three major landowners, Bellway Homes, Bromford Group and Mansfield Partners LLP, joined to form a partnership - the North Ashchurch Consortium (NAC).

Their plan is to bring forward an area of around 229 hectares or approximately 2,800 homes for development.

The garden communities are located to the east of the M5, spanning across the railway and the north and south of the A46. The North Ashchurch area relates to three of the six proposed garden communities.

Following extensive public consultation, the masterplan shares the direction of travel for the development and indicates how the principles for the garden communities can be delivered in reality. Technical details such as drainage mitigation or highways mitigation would be covered in a future planning application.

The vision for the new communities is: "North Ashchurch will be a series of vibrant, green and well-connected garden communities, promoting health, wellbeing and happiness. Beautifully crafted, everyone will feel the power and benefit of nature with a new country park, green spaces, new homes, schools, workspaces and the facilities people need - from health to spaces for leisure, arts and culture."

The communities will follow Garden City principles, including:

• Mixed-tenure homes and housing types that are genuinely affordable

• Wide range of local jobs within easy commuting distance of homes

• Beautifully and imaginatively designed homes with gardens, combining the best of town and country to create healthy communities and including opportunities to grow food

• Development that enhances the natural environment, providing a comprehensive green infrastructure network and net biodiversity gains, and that uses zero carbon and energy-positive technologies to ensure climate resilience

• Strong cultural, recreational and shopping facilities in walkable, vibrant, sociable neighbourhoods

• Integrated, accessible transport systems with walking, cycling and public transport designed to be the most attractive forms of local transport

The vision for North Ashchurch is around three key themes - all of which reinforce the aspirations to promote healthy lifestyles, biodiversity and respond to the climate crisis:

Green Spaces and Nature - working with existing features, green spaces will be enhanced and new ones created to provide communities with access to leisure, supporting biodiversity and climate resilience. There will be spaces for food production, improving mental health and access to good nutrition.

Movement - a fully integrated transport network connects within and beyond North Ashchurch, making them places where people are inspired to work locally and encouraged to travel actively. Accessible routes encourage people to walk, cycle and scoot. The central street will relieve pressure on the A46, linking the series of communities and providing access to the town centre.

Placemaking - there will be a clear overall identity, marked by good design and a sustainable approach. It comprises two distinct communities, each with their own character and identity. The communities are centred upon lively, well-designed local centres serving walkable residential areas and around the railway station.

The masterplan said: "North Ashchurch will provide a range of homes to cater for the needs of residents at all stages of their life, creating an environment that is people and child-friendly throughout."

A future decision to endorse the North Ashchurch Garden Communities Framework Masterplan would be consistent with the council's wish to see development within the Tewkesbury Garden Communities area conforming with the Garden Communities Charter.

The Garden Town project evolved to become a series of six interconnected Garden Communities, rather than a single larger Garden Town as had previously been the case - a shift based on feedback from community groups and parish councils.