The sale of eight acres of council land in Podsmead for £1 to enable regeneration of the estate looks set to be signed off tonight (Jan 10).

It will be a vital step forward for the multi-million pound project and pave the way for a planning application to be submitted this spring.

However, the project has been scaled back from a mix of affordable and market homes to 177 affordable homes.

Gloucester City Council is due to discuss a draft agreement with Gloucester City Homes (GCH) at its cabinet meeting.

The housing association has spent years working on plans to transform the estate and in December Punchline revealed the project was finally moving forward. 

The masterplan published on shapethefutureglos.co.uk shows the demolition of 201 homes and the building of 337 new ones.

A report going to cabinet said GCH has drafted an amended plan for the regeneration of the estate which was a "smaller, more deliverable scheme".

The new plan comprises eight residential sites and two areas of open space and would see 64 homes demolished and the land used to build up to 177 new affordable homes, new retail, recreation and community facilities and the revamp of park and play areas.

The changes follow the announcement of new grant funding from Homes England which can be used to fund replacement homes alongside new affordable homes.

"Grant funding would alter the financial viability of the scheme, presenting opportunities for a greater proportion of affordable homes," said the report.

"Homes England has confirmed to GCH its support for Podsmead regeneration subject to a bid being submitted and evidence of a deliverable programme."

The sale of the eight acres of public land for below market value would form part of the council's contribution to the scheme.

Councillor Stephanie Chambers, cabinet member for planning and housing strategy at Gloucester City Council, said: "We believe this is a great scheme that will see millions invested into Podsmead.

"The scheme will improve current housing as well as providing much needed new affordable housing for the residents of Gloucester wanting to get on the property ladder through shared ownership.

"It will also provide a great deal of social housing which will benefit local people on the housing waiting list. The planned new community facilities and retail, set to include a pharmacy, will help improve the health and wellbeing of the residents of Podsmead."

GCH will submit a planning application for the revised scheme to the council this spring.

If approved it would see eight residential sites and two areas of open space regenerated over four years, commencing in March 2025.

The shopping area on Podsmead Road would be revamped and a clearer pedestrian route linking Tuffley and Bristol Road created.

The council said energy usage would be minimised during construction methods and energy efficiency maximised in the new homes.

The development would also have a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SUDS) that takes account of biodiversity, water quality and flooding.

Guy Stenson, chief executive of Gloucester City Homes, said: "The support of Gloucester City Council will enable GCH to move forward our exciting plans in Podsmead which will not only see us building up to 177 new homes, but also working with the local community to invest in improving existing homes, community facilities and the physical environment.

"Our next step would be to submit a full planning application in the spring."