Eco Park gets "green light"

As part of the ongoing review of the Stroud District Local Plan, independent consultants carried out a ‘Landscape Sensitivity Assessment’ of 220 pieces of land being considered for future housing and employment. The study used a traffic light system to designate ‘landscape sensitivity’ – rating each site on a ‘Red, Amber or Green’ spectrum.

Eco Park was the only employment site given a ‘Green’ rating, after it was found to have the “lowest landscape sensitivity to employment use” of all 220 sites being considered.

The study looked at the potential impact of the 220 sites against 18 development constraints, including: Conservation Areas (SSSI, AONB), Historic Landscapes, Key Wildlife Sites, Public Footpaths, and Flood Risk.

It also assessed the “landscape sensitivity” of each site, using measures such as: scenic quality, character, rarity, tranquility, noise, visual relationship with the area or nearby settlements.

“We always thought our site by Junction 13 was one the least impactful sites in the district and its great to see that made plain in this study by the council.”