Ward Area Profile Quedgeley Fieldcourt - Gloucester and Property/Ward... · Ward Area Profile:...

Ward Area Profile

Quedgeley Fieldcourt

Spring 2013

Ward Area Profile: Quedgeley Fieldcourt

1

Overview Contents

Ward Councillors

Cllr Debbie Llewellyn - [email protected]

10 Moorhen Court

Quedgeley

Gloucester

GL2 4LE

Cllr Fred Wood - [email protected]

76 Welland Road

Quedgeley

Gloucester

GL2 4SG

Summary

Quedgeley Fieldcourt is the southern most ward in the City and comprises part of the larger

southern suburb of Gloucester of Quedgeley. The area has grown considerably since the

1970’s providing large areas of residential accommodation and new employment land for the

City plus the associated shops, services and schools that such a community requires.

More recently the large urban extension of Kingsway on the former RAF Quedgeley site has

begun to be delivered providing new homes including social housing, a new local centre and

new primary schools.

The ward is effectively subdivided by the A38 dual carriageway which runs north south

through the ward. Connectivity between Kingsway and Quedgeley District centre is provided

via a restricted underpass that passes underneath the dual carriageway.

Waterwells Business Park has provided new employment within the ward and is home to

Gloucestershire Constabulary’s flagship headquarters as well as local manufacturers and

national distribution companies. New employment land remains to be delivered at Kingsway.

The ward has a younger population profile than other wards in the City and a very high rate

of children under 4. There are a high number of lone parent benefit claimants and a high rate

of children eligible for free school meals in the ward.

SWOT Analysis of Ward

Strengths

Demand for retail units outside identified district/local centres

Delivering a high number of new homes

Weaknesses

Not enough sites for retail/services

within identified retail centres.

No guarantee to be able to see a doctor

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


2

for the City including affordable housing

Delivering new employment opportunities and inward business investment at Waterwells Business Park for the whole City.

Sites remain for new employment development on Kingsway at Framework 5.

Good infrastructure for sustainable modes of transport, including walking and cycling

District centre well served by public transport to both Gloucester and Stroud.

Area does not suffer from congestion at peak times -Strong community groups and sense of community identity

within the ward – maybe need to travel

to Stroud Road to Pavilion medical

centre

A predominantly young adult population

with a high number of children under the

age of 5

High number of families on lone parent

benefit

High numbers of children qualifying for

free school meals

Geographical access to services in the

far south & west of the ward is identified

as an issue

Distance of the ward from the services

and facilities available in the City Centre

Opportunities

Possibility to expand district centre

owing to lack of vacant units

To expand the number of services and

facilities available to children, young

people and families in the ward.

To deliver allotments and new play

space through delivery of Framework 4

on Kingsway

To deliver new employment

opportunities in Framework 5 at

Kingsway and Waterwells Business part

To integrate bus service to Kingsway

with that serving the neighbouring ward

of Grange

To address parking issues

To work with Stroud District and Stroud

Parish Councillors with regard to

development abutting the south of the

ward.

Threats

High rainfall events resulting in surface

water and fluvial flooding from Daniel’s

Brook and Dimore Brook

Piecemeal urban sprawl to south of

ward in Stroud District placing

increased pressure on existing services

and community infrastructure in

Quedgeley.


3

Appendix 1

1.0 Physical Character of the Area

1.1 Location

Quedgeley Fieldcourt lies to the south west of the City and is bounded to the east by the

mainline Birmingham to Bristol mainline railway with Stroud District beyond, to the north by

Grange and Severnvale wards and to the south by Hardwicke parish which lies within Stroud

District. The location of the ward is shown in Figure 1 below.

Quedgeley Fieldcourt is a large ward which includes the majority of Quedgeley south of the

district centre as well as the Kingsway development, Naas Lane and Waterwells Business

Park.

The whole ward lies within the area covered by Quedgeley Parish Council, which also

includes Quedgeley Severn vale ward to the north west.

The ward is characterised by residential development and the shops, services and

community facilities that such development requires. The main existing employment area in

the ward, Waterwells Business Park lies to the south of the ward.

The new urban extension of Kingsway, formerly RAF Quedgeley, has recently delivered

2,000 new homes in the ward plus a primary school, 1,300 new homes remain to be

delivered in the urban village as well as 16 hectares of employment land. When it is

complete Kingsway will have two primary schools and a local centre including community

centre, place of worship and convenience shopping.


4

Figure 1: Location of Quedgeley Fieldcourt ward within the City of Gloucester.


5

1.2 The Historical development of Quedgeley Fieldcourt

Quedgeley is not mentioned by name in the Domesday survey of 1086 but it may have

formed part of lands owned by Gloucester Abbey during the medieval period. The earliest

historic element in the ward is the Bristol road, which broadly follows the route of the Roman

road running south from Gloucester.

The first edition Ordnance survey map of 1886 shows a predominantly rural landscape which

still retains a number of medieval elements. These include moated sites at Field Court,

Manor Farm and to the west of St. James church. Moated sites are usually important

countryside houses such as manors or farms and the presence of three so close together is

fairly unusual, it is assumed that this was a prosperous area of farmland during the medieval

period. Sadly the moat at Fieldcourt no longer survives but the two remaining moated sites

still survive and are now protected as scheduled monuments. T he church of St James is

also of medieval date and is Grade II* Listed.

The 1886 map shows an area of dispersed rural settlement focused around the Bristol Road

or on isolated farms. The location of many of the farms, the church and the route of the road

will have been largely unchanged since medieval times. The landscape shown is a mix of

open farmland with a smaller proportion of orchards. The only really modern feature visible

is the Midlands Railway which forms the eastern boundary of the ward.

In 1915, in response to a serious munitions shortage during WWI, a shelling filling factory

was constructed in the south east of the ward around Manor Farm. The factory filled shells

delivered from Bristol via the Midland’s Railway which constructed a branch line that ran

directly to the site. The site was huge, covering some 298 acres of good quality arable land.

The extent of the site is shown in the 1923 Ordnance Survey map. During WWII the site

was converted into an RAF base known as RAF Quedgeley and it was used as a

maintenance depot (and was one of the major equipment depots in the area). The area of

the base was expanded to the north-east.

RAF Quedegley continued as a storage depot until 1995 after which the area was heavily

redeveloped for housing (a process which is still ongoing). Today this ward has undergone

extensive development for residential and employment uses and retains very little of its

historic landscape character, that said a number of historic gems do survive – most

particularly the two scheduled moated sites and the church of St. James.


6

Figure 2: Historic Map of Quedgeley Fieldcourt

1.3 Character of the area

The ward is effectively split into two halves by the A38 dual carriageway. The older

residential part of the ward lies to the west of the dual carriageway. Properties here date

predominantly from the 1970’s and 1980’s and the estates are characteristic of housing

layouts of the time. A few older properties lie adjacent to the old Bristol Road, which passes

north south through the ward.

Quedgeley District Centre also lies to the west of the ward and comprises a large

superstore, other retail warehouses and smaller shops selling comparison goods. There are

also public houses, a library and village hall in this part of the parish. This centre has been

developed and expanded as the residential area of Quedgeley has grown. A doctor’s

surgery and police station lie to the west of the local centre and the Anglican Church of St.

James, the community centre lie to the south of the local centre. The Scheduled monument

of Quedgeley moat lies to the west of this area.


7

The area to the west of the A38 dual carriageway is intensively used for residential purposes

with the largest open spaces belonging to Severnvale Secondary School and the primary

school. Woodlands Park mobile home park lies to the west of the ward. Figure 3 below

illustrates the ward in more detail.

Figure 3: Fieldcourt Ward


8

The urban extension of Kingsway lies on the former RAF Quedgeley site to the east of the

A38 dual carriageway, this area comprises that part of the ward between Daniel’s Brook and

Naas Lane and includes the Scheduled Monument of Manor Farm. To date approximately

2,000 of the permitted 3,300 dwellings at Kingsway have been built plus one two form entry

primary school, a children’s centre and a few of the retail units comprising the local centre.

The permitted local centre at Kingsway identifies sites for a community centre, a place of

worship and a medical facility as well as additional retail units. All these facilities are

required in order to provide the social and community infrastructure required to serve a new

sustainable community.

A second primary school to the south of the site is currently under construction and residents

currently have access to a temporary community centre.

The development of Kingsway has been split into five Frameworks, Frameworks 1-3, to the

north and east of the site are substantially complete. Their design reflects the highway and

design standards of their era. Framework 4, the final phase of residential development to the

south, is currently under construction. Framework 5, to the west of the site and bonding the

A38 dual carriageway, is the employment area, yet to be commenced.

The development has been planned with large areas of open space and with strategic

footpath and cycle ways to encourage modes of transport within the area other than the

private car. The area is a mix of tenures and house types of predominantly two storey

dwellings.


9

Naas Lane is a former rural lane fronted by residential development along its north side

comprising a mix of bungalows and two storey dwellings. The character of this area has

changed over recent years with the intensification of the use of some of the more spacious

plots, the development of Waterwells Business Park to the south and the development of

Kingsway to the north.

A large public open space with a dedicated playing field lies to the south of Naas Lane.

To the east of Naas Lane and adjacent to the mainline railway lies a large site formerly used

for car storage, this site is now used for open storage of vehicles.

To the south of Naas Lane is Waterwells Business Park, a former employment allocation

which has been built out since 2000 and is almost complete. The area houses the

Gloucestershire Constabulary headquarters building as well as other office, manufacturing

and storage buildings. The site has excellent access to junction 12 of the M5 motorway to

the south and provides the southern most Park and Ride site for the City.


10

To the east of Waterwells, between the business park and the railway lies an area of

undeveloped land with a few residential properties.

The main route through the ward is the A38 dual carriageway which effectively cuts the ward

in half. The old Bristol Road runs adjacent to the A38 to its west. Fieldcourt Drive is the

main distributor road through the western half of the ward. Thatcham Avenue and Valley

Gardens provide connectivity through the Kingsway development. To the south of the ward

Waterwells Drive provides connectivity to Brookthorpe and School Lane to Hardwicke and

Elmore in Stroud District.

A large new urban extension of 1750 dwellings has been permitted to the south of the ward

in Stroud District. The new development is known as Hunts Grove and will include housing,

employment land, a new primary school, a new local centre and public open space.

Connectivity to this new development will be possible via a new road leading from

Waterwells Business Park into Hunts Grove.


11

2.0 Demographics

2.1 Population

The 2011 Census identifies Quedgeley Fieldcourt ward as having a population of 10,421

people. This

makes the ward the second most populated ward in the City after Barton & Tredworth.

2.2 Age

The breakdown of age cohorts in the ward is provided in Figure 4 below;

Figure 4: Breakdown of population by Age

Source: Census 2011


12

Figure 5: Breakdown of cohorts by sex

Source: ONS 2010

Figure 4 clearly shows the high number of children in the ward up to the age of 4, while the

numbers of young children in the City have been rising this ward has the highest number of

under 5’s for the whole City with approximately 11% of the ward population from this cohort.

The graph shows roughly equal numbers of boys and girls aged 5 – 19, but significantly

more women than men aged 20-24.

It is significant that the most populated adult cohorts are 25-34, this means that the ward has

a predominantly young adult population who are producing lots of young children. There are

less older people living in the ward than in other wards across the City. There are more

women than men aged 80 plus in the ward.

These demographic statistics are interesting as they do not reflect the pattern of

demographic breakdown in other parts of the City and highlight the need to provide facilities

and activites in the ward for young families with young children, bearing in mind that there

may be a number of quite young women caring for children on their own in the ward.

2.3 Ethnicity

The following table displays the ethnic make up of the city in 2006, this data demonstrates

that the population of Fieldcourt consists of 96.5% White British and 3.5% Ethnic Minority

groups.


13

Table 1: Ethnicity within Gloucester City

Source: Gloucestershire County Council - Ethnicity in Gloucestershire 2006

2.4 Gender

The graph at Figure 4 shows roughly equal numbers of boys and girls aged 5 – 19, but

significantly more women than men aged 20-24 and 40-44. There are also more elderly

women than men in the ward for all cohorts aged 65 plus, especially those aged 85 plus.

2.5 Housing Tenure

The housing tenure split for Fieldcourt is illustrated in Figure 5 below and clearly

demonstrates that the majority of housing in the ward is owner occupied (65%), with 11% of

the housing stock in the social rented sector and 19% in the private rented sector.

Quedgeley Fieldcourt has the highest amount of Shared Ownership properties at 4%.


14

Figure 5: Tenure in Fieldcourt Ward

Source: 2011 Census Data

The comparison chart in Figure 6 below shows that Fieldcourt has similar levels of owner

occupation as Barnwood and Tuffley. Quedgeley Fieldcourt has a social housing

percentage of 11% compared to the City average of 13% and a higher than average amount

of private rented housing with 19% compared to the City average of 17%.

Figure 6: Tenure within Gloucester City by ward

Source: 2011 Census


15

2.6 Profile of housing stock

The majority of housing stock in the ward has been built since the 1970’s and is modern in

nature. Older properties are predominantly located adjacent to the Bristol Road and along

Naas Lane. There is a higher than City average of houses and bungalows with a

corresponding low level of flats, just 9% compared to the City ward average of 16%.

The ward has less one and three bedroom properties than the City average and more two

and four bed properties than the City average (Source: Census 2011).

2.7 Energy efficiency of housing stock

Thermal imaging of the City shows that for Quedgeley Fieldcourt ward the housing stock is

generally thermally efficient, however newer housing in the north east of the ward is not as

thermally efficient as the established older housing stock in the west of the ward or along

Naas Lane.

A household is deemed to be in Fuel Poverty if they spend more than 10% of their income of

heating their home.In Quedgeley Fieldcourt 5.0% of households are in fuel poverty, which is

lower than the local authority average of 5.5% of households (Source: Fuel Poverty

Indicators – Centre for Sustainable Energy).

2.8 Housing Need

The Fordham Research Gloucestershire household survey (2009) identifies Quedgeley

Fieldcourt ward as one of the two wards lying in the southwest sub-area of the City with a

combined identified total of 6,331 households. Within this sub-area 5.9% of households are

in unsuitable housing and 2.4% are in households in current housing need.

It is considered that the balance of types of properties in the ward is good and should be

maintained.


16

3.0 Community facilities

3.1 Health care

Quedgeley Fieldcourt has three medical centres. ‘St. James Family Doctors’ is located to

the rear of the Tesco superstore to the west of the local centre. The practice has recently

expanded and there is no further capacity to physically expand the medical centre on the

site, additional capacity could only be provided by extending the opening hours of the

practice.

The practice is linked with the Pavilion practice on Stroud Road in the City and has 8 GP’s ,

6 nursing staff and 2 health care assistants as well as 3 midwives and 5 community nurses

and 3 health visitors, 2 of whom are based at St. James surgery. The website for the

practice states that people wishing to join the medical centre must be able to travel to both

sites (Quedgeley and Stroud Road) in order to be able to access a clinician.

The Severnvale Surgery is located in the same area and Quedgeley Medical Centre is

located on the Olympus Park Retail site in Quedgeley Severnvale Ward.

There is also a Dental Practice located at St. James adjacent to the medical centre, the

practice does not offer NHS dental care except for a limited number of children. NHS dental

services are available in the City Centre.

3.2 Libraries

Quedgeley Library is located adjacent to the District Centre on the western side of Bristol

Road, it is close to shops and other community facilities such as the medical centre, police

station and village hall. The library is a well used community resource run by the County

Council and is open as follows;

Monday 10am – 1pm 2pm-5pm

Tuesday 10am – 1pm 2pm – 5pm

Wednesday Closed 2pm – 5pm

Thursday 10am – 1pm 2pm – 7pm

Friday 10am – 1pm 2pm – 5pm

Saturday 10am - 4pm

The library also offers the following other groups and resources;

Baby Bounce and Rhyme

Computer Buddy

Bus pass applications

PC’s with internet access


17

Library Book Club 1st Thursday each month drop in session between 6pm-7pm

The library has parking and public & accessible toilets and has flat automated access.

3.3 Places of Worship

Quedgeley Fieldcourt has four places of worship, the Anglican Church of St. James is a

medieval church dating from the 1300’s, the church has a family communion each Sunday

as well as daily office each day except Monday.


18

Quedgeley Baptist Church meets at Quedgeley Village Hall. As well as Sunday services the

church provides youth groups at the Village Hall and Scout Hall for those aged between 5

and 17.

Quedgeley Methodist Church offers Sunday worship, junior church, youth fellowship, a baby

and toddlers group and a women’s fellowship.

Kingfisher Church provides a Sunday morning service at Kingsway Primary School.

3.4 Community Facilities

Quedgeley Community Centre and Village Hall are both located in Fieldcourt Ward.

The Village Hall is located on Bristol Road to the south of the district centre and is well used

during the day and the evening by various groups offering a variety of community activities

including exercise classes, indoor bowls, dancing classes, art class, toddlers and WI. The

Village Hall has a main hall with a stage, a kitchen , a small hall and a meeting room for

around 10 people.

The Community Centre was opened in 1995 and is located on School Lane to the west of

the A38. The building is run by the Parish Council and is well used by the community

providing the location for a popular playgroup, luncheon club, and evening community

activities. The Community Centre has two large halls, each with kitchen facilities and a

smaller room suitable for meetings.


19

Quedegley Social Club was added to the community centre in subsequent years. It is run by

local residents and provides a pub type environment for socialising and events.

The Quedgeley Scout & Guide Hall is located on School and is used by community groups

as well as by the Scouts and Guides alike.

Kingsway has a temporary community centre which is accessed from Naas Lane and

provides a suite of rooms for use by the local Kingsway community. A new community

centre will be built at the Kingsway local centre.

Equals Youth Club is run by Quedgeley Community Trust and operated by Prospect Training

Service who provide training opportunities to young people ages 16 – 19 who are not in

education, employment or training (NEET) during the day and provide activities for local

young people at the youth centre in the evening. It is also understood that the centre will

provide school holiday camps, eg: a football camp for young people locally.

The Gloucester City Draft Community Facility Audit (Autumn 2012) identifies Fieldcourt as

having more than the national recommended level of community facility provision. The

facilities listed include the following;

Quedgeley Community Centre Equals Youth Centre Severn Vale School Kingsway Community Centre Quedgley Village Hall Waterwells Sports Centre

The point to note from the audit however, is that most of the built facilities lie to the west of

the A38, with the Kingsway Community on the east of the A38 only having access to a

temporary community centre in their local vicinity.


20

3.5 Education Facilities

There are two primary schools within Fieldcourt Ward, Fieldcourt Infant, Fieldcourt Juniors

and Kingsway Primary School.

Fieldcourt C of E Infant School was judged as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted in March 2010. The

school has an on–site pre-school and also has a ‘before and after’ school club. The school

is part of Quedgeley Learning Community, it works closely with other primary school in the

area as well as Severn vale School.

Fieldcourt Junior School is a three form entry junior school accommodating 7-11 year olds,

there are around 300 pupils on role. There are extensive playing field and playground areas

that are shared with the infant school. The 2010 Ofsted report states that the school is

‘Good’.

Kingsway Primary School is located on the Kingsway urban extension. The school was

opened in 2008 as a two form entry landmark school building and flagship of Gloucestershire

County Council, aiming to provide up –to –date and inspirational learning for the primary age

range. The latest Ofsted inpsection took place in October 2012 and the outcome is awaited.

The March 2010 inspection found that the school has an above average proportion of pupils

with special educational needs and/or disabilities, most of whom had moderate learning

difficulties. This report found the school to be ‘Satisfactory’.

Severn Vale School is an Academy catering for secondary aged pupils which has seen

dramatic improvements in recent years. In March 2011 Ofsted stated that the school was

‘Good’ and rapidly moving towards outstanding. The school does not offer a sixth form.

The school offers evening classes including free numeracy and literacy evening classes.

The school works closely with other community groups in the Quedgeley area and students

have recently painted the A38 underpass through to Kingsway.

3.6 Leisure Facilities

Quedgeley Health and Fitness Club is located at Severn Vale school and operated by the

Quedgeley Community Trust, it shares the schools sports and leisure facilities and offers a

range of activities and classes. The club is open Monday to Friday 5.30pm – 9pm and

weekends from 9.30am to 6.00pm. The club offers a fully equipped gym, a range of fitness

classes and a sports hall, in the summer the outside tennis courts can be hired.

Quedgeley Community Centre offers aerobic and dance classes.

There is a Snooker Club on Waterwells Business Park which provides training as well as

being a venue for national competitions.


21

3.7 Cultural Facilities

Quedgeley Library is the only facility that meets the requirements of a cultural facility.


22

4.0 Deprivation Index

4.1 Deprivation Table

The rate is compared to the County norm of 1. A rate of 0.5 represents half the County

average rate, a rate of 2 would show the locality has double the norm.

Hot indicates the locality is in top 10% (or bottom 10% when marked with an *) of localities in

Gloucestershire (therefore this is an issue within the City).

Warm indicates the locality is in the next 25% of localities in the County (therefore this

indicator is an issue when compared to the County).

A ‘cool’ rating indicates that this matter is not an issue compared to other localities in the

County.

Table 2: Deprivation Indicators for Quedgeley Fieldcourt

Source: Data from Maiden multi agency information database for neighbourhoods 2012 &

2007

Source MAIDeN Number Hot, Warm or Cool

Health

Social work assessments 2011 < 5 Cool

Mental Health Assessments 2011 40 Warm

Accident Admissions 2012

Children and Young People

Accident Admissions of under 5’s 2012 50 Cool

Accident Admissions of under 17’s 2012 110 Warm

Children in need 2011 105 Hot

Crime victims under 20 years old 2010-11 95 Hot

Lone parent benefit claimants August 2008 208 Hot

Key stage 4 - Pupils not achieving 5+ A*-C grades inc English * maths

55 Warm

Free School Meals - Pupils eligible 2012 310 Hot

Pupils with English as an additional language where first language is known

1490 Hot

Crime

Victims of crime (all) 2010-11 475 Warm

Anti Social Behaviour Incidents recorded by the Police 2010-11

815 Hot

Theft victims 2010-11 155 Cool

Violence victims 2010-11 165 Hot

Burglary victims 2010-11 45 Cool

Hate Crime/incidents 2010-11 15 Cool

Serious and Fatal Road Traffic Collisions 2007-10 10 Cool

Criminal damage victims 2010-11 80 Warm

Arson recorded by Fire and Rescue 2008-11 25 Cool

Economy

Mean household income 2007 £k* 38,791 Cool


23

Working-age benefit claimants Aug 2008 803 Warm

Job seeker claimants Aug 2008 134 Warm

Incapacity Benefit claimants 2008 267 Warm

Lone parent benefit claimants Aug 2008 208 Hot

Carer claimants Aug 2008 63 Warm

Disabled claimants Aug 2008 69 Warm

Households with broadband internet 2008* 5461 Cool

4.2 Map of Deprivation

Figure 9 illustrates the Indices of Deprivation for Gloucester 2010. The map is compiled by

looking at income deprivation, employment deprivation, health and disability, education,

skills and training, crime and disorder, barriers to housing services, and living environment.

While the map does not indicate high levels of overall deprivation for the ward specifically

high indicators to the east of the A38 dual carriageway include income deprivation affecting

children; crime and disorder and barriers to housing and services. Crime and disorder was

also highlighted around the district centre and geographical barriers to services to the south

west of the ward.

Figure 7: Indices of Deprivation 2010

Source: Gloucestershire Research & Intelligence


24

4.3 Headline Indicators

Table 2 above clearly shows the following indicators that are local priority issues for the ward

within the City;

Crime victims under 20

Lone parent benefit claimants

The number of pupils eligible for free school meals

Anti social behaviour incidents recorded by the police

Violence victims

Children in need

English as a second language in school aged children

4.4 Health

The Director of Public Health’s report for Gloucester from 2009 -2010 shows that the

western most lower super output area of the ward has between 100-200 households out of

650 households with existing health problems. Measures include angina at a rate 60%

higher than the national average and heart attack 45% higher than the national average,

plus new cases of diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol above the national

average, the map below illustrates this data.


25

One lower super output area to the west of the ward has up to 50 households who may

develop future health problems owing to high numbers of smokers or obesity, this is

illustrated in the map below. It should be noted however that Kingsway was still in the

process of being occupied when this data was collated and is still only two thirds complete –

future studies may identify parts of Kingsway at risk from ill health owing to the other

deprivation indicators that are highlighted for the area.


26

4.5 Crime

Data from Gloucester City CSP for 2012 demonstrates a slight increase in all recorded crime

in the ward in 2011/12 from 2010/11 compared to an overall reduction Citywide, however the

overall levels of crime in the ward are not as high as elsewhere in the City. There has been a

substantial reduction in criminal damage in the ward but slight increases in burglary, theft

and violence against the person. During a recent Have your say day arranged by Safer

Gloucester, in the Kingsway area, 95% of people feel very or fairly safe during the day and

66% feel safe walking around at night.

4.6 Car ownership

Figure 8 below indicates that car/van ownership levels in the ward are high with very few

households not having access to their own transport. It should be noted that this 2001

census data is now relatively old the 2012 census data will provide an updated picture.

There is a small pocket of vehicle deprivation in the western most corner of the ward where


27

12.5 – 18.5% of households do not own a car or van, this is the area of the mobile home

park.

Figure 8: Car ownership

Source: ONS 2001 Census


28

5.0 Economics

5.1 Employment

(Source: Gloucestershire County Council Unemployment Bulletin November 2012)

In November 2012 Fieldcourt was ranked 103rd of 142 wards in Gloucestershire with regard

to unemployment based on an analysis of claimant counts. The ward had the seventh

lowest level of unemployment across the City (with a rate of 3.1 compared to the City

average of 4.1), however with a ranking of 103rd out of 142 wards countywide it is clear that

unemployment is an issue in this ward.

Table 3: Claimant Count in Gloucester by Ward November 2012

Source: Gloucestershire County Council 2012


29

5.2 Average Household Income

Data from 2007 shows that compared to the rest of the County average household income in

Fieldcourt is not a specific issue, however other indicators such as high levels of lone parent

benefit claimants (August 2008) and high levels of pupils eligible for free school meals

(2012) show that the pockets of deprivation that exist in the ward are being masked by

higher income families such that overall average household income is not showing as an

issue in the ward.

5.3 Educational Achievement

Data provided from the County for 2010/11 demonstrates that within the ward, of 130 pupils

at the end of Key Stage 4, 75 (57.6%) achieved 5 GCSE’s including maths and English while

107 (82.3%) achieved 5 GCSE’s. The comparison of achievement of pupils in Fieldcourt

against the rest of the City can be seen in Figure 9 below.

It is interesting to note that the neighbouring ward of Quedgeley Severnvale has much

higher percentage pass rates (71.8% and 90% respectively), yet the wards contain very

similar housing stock including a mix of established post war housing and more modern

dwellings completed in the past 7 years.

Other indicators which help to support the lower level of educational achievement include

high levels of children for whom English is not their first language and the numbers of

children identified as being in need in 2011 compared to the County average. High rates for

both of these indicators help to explain why educational achievement in Fieldcourt is not as

high as neighbouring Severnvale.

Figure 9: Educational Achievement at Key Stage 4 2010/11

Source: Gloucestershire County Council


30

5.4 Retail

Fieldcourt contains Quedgeley District Centre, which is shown on the Gloucester City First

Deposit Local Plan Proposals Map (2001) as split into two distinct areas either side of the

Bristol Road with adjacent areas identified as new retail allocations. Since 2001 the

allocated areas have also been developed for retail purposes such that the District Centre

now has the biggest non bulky goods retail offer in the City after the City Centre and St.

Oswalds retail park.

There is a Tesco superstore to the west of the Bristol Road which has recently been

refurbished and expanded to include smaller retail units on the frontage including a coffee

shop, post office, building society, charity shop and pet shop.

On the east of the Bristol Road is Olympus Park, a number of large retail warehouses

including a Matalan, Next, Brantano and Lidl. There are also some smaller retail units

including a bank, pet shop, take away and estate agents plus a public house.


31

To the south in School Lane, but still within the local centre, are a cluster of additional retail

units including a hairdressers, further estate agents, solicitors and take away units.

The district centre is on a bus route and is accessible for both pedestrians and cyclists from

both sides of the A38 dual carriageway.

Kingsway Local Centre has been partly constructed and now provides a public house and

restaurant, a coffee shop, a small convenience store, estate agents, pharmacy, vets and

hairdressers. The local centre will continue to be delivered as more housing is completed on

the urban extension and will eventually provide a small convenience store as well as

additional small retail units.


32

Recent planning permissions have been granted for retail uses in Quedgeley Fieldcourt

outside of either the main district centre or Kingsway local centre. A hairdresser and an

optician have planning permission to operate from units on Waterwells Business Park and a

hairdresser and dentist have planning permission to operate from Space Business centre to

the north of the district centre.

These permissions were all granted owing to the lack of suitable vacant units within the

district or local centres for the businesses to operate from.

More recently in early January 2013 a planning application for a new 2,300sqm net retail

floor space superstore was granted planning permission on the employment land at

Kingsway. This facility will offer choice for local residents and competition for the Tesco

superstore in the district centre.

5.5 Public Transport

The Bristol Road is well served by public transport with frequent services from Gloucester to

Quedgeley and Gloucester to Stroud/Stonehouse/Frampton passing through the district

centre. The following bus services serve Quedgeley Fieldcourt;

12 & 12A to Dursley via Gloucester Bristol Road, School Lane, Severvale Drive and

Field Court Drive

14 via Hempsted Lane to Kingsway and Stroud via The Stanleys

14A via Hempsted Lane, Severnvale Drive to Elmore & Fretherne

15 service between Gloucester and Kingsway, Thatcham Avenue

91 Gloucester to Dursley via Stroud Road and Cole Avenue & Quedgeley Bristol

Road


33

113 via Hempsted Lane, Severnvale Drive to Elmore, Frampton & Arlingham

Car parking is provided in the ward at the District centre and at Kingsway local centre. The

community centre and village hall also have parking.

5.6 Cycle ways

The 2002 Second Deposit Local Plan proposals map identifies Bristol Road as a cycle route

along with Fieldcourt Drive. Off road strategic footpath and cycle ways exist throughout the

ward and permeate through the residential areas, especially through the new urban

extension of Kingsway.

Cycle link also exist between Kingsway and neighbouring Grange ward at crossing points

over the Daniels Brook.

5.7 Congestion

Gloucestershire County Council Congestion Monitoring Report 2010/11 indicates that there

is very little congestion on the A38 dual carriageway during either the morning or evening

peak times despite the fact that the route carries 20,000-50,000 vehicles per day including

between 350-1,000 large goods vehicles. With the close proximity of Junction 12 of the M5

motorway, congestion can occur during any closures or delays on the motorway.


34

6.0 Land use Issues

6.1 Conservation and Archaeology

The ward has several listed buildings including St. James’ Church which is Grade II*

listed. There are other listed buildings in the ward including buildings at Manor Farm

in Kingsway. None of the listed buildings in the ward are on the Buildings At Risk

Register.

There are two scheduled monuments in this ward both of which are medieval settlement

sites:

SM no. 13805 – Moated site at Manor Farm

SM no. 32364 – Moated site 200m west of St James’ Church

There is one Area of principle Archaeological Interest:

East Quedgeley (Historic Landscape and Roman Road)

6.2 Public Open space

The Draft Open Space Strategy (2012) indicates that the ward has 22.28ha of open space

which falls just short of the existing open space standard of 2.8ha per 1000 people. The

ward also falls seriously short of the proposed sports pitch standard of 1.6ha of open space

per 1,000 population having only 0.48ha per 1,000. Details of the open space in the ward

are provided in Table 3 below.

There are six play areas in the ward, plus some informal youth sports areas, which equate to

0.11ha per 1000, which falls short of the proposed standard for formal play provision of

0.25ha per 1000.

The open spaces in the ward have mainly been created as part of housing development, to

provide space for formal and informal recreation. A number of new open spaces are being

created as part of the Kingsway development. It is intended that these will be adopted by

the council, so those that are already completed and open for use have been included in the

calculations for this ward. Proposed Kingsway spaces not yet constructed haven’t been

included.

Dimore Playing Field is also included in the overall calculation. Even though it is unadopted, it has been used by local residents for a number of years. However, it has not been included in the sports pitch calculation, because although it is designed to accommodate 2 football pitches (and even a cricket pitch), it has never been laid out for formal sport.

Quedgeley Fieldcourt’s open spaces are a mainly maintained as short mown grass with associated trees, shrubs and hedgerows. However, in the Kingsway development, there are two old orchards that are being managed less intensively, with nature conservation and preservation of the historic orchard character in mind. During a ‘Have your Say’ day in Kingsway 53% or respondents indicated that they felt that there were enough safe play areas/activities for young people in the area.


35

Areas of public open space in the ward are listed in Table 4, a key for the table is provided below,

Table 4: Public Open Space in Fieldcourt Ward Source: Draft Open Space Strategy (2012)

Ref. Name Size Description (see list of open space types)

QF1 Druid’s Oak 0.2 B+ H LEAP

QF2 Field Court Gardens 0.4 B

QF3 Field Court Drive 2.86 H + B MUGA, skate

QF4 Needham Avenue 0.17 B

QF5 Waterwells playing field 5.41 J + H + B MUGA, LEAP, synthetic pitch, 2 adult football, 2 junior?

QF6 Dimore Playing Field (in use, but yet to be adopted)

3.31 B (+future J – sports pitches not yet laid out)

QF7 Manor Farm open space and orchard (in use, but yet to be adopted)

4.81

B + H + J MUGA, NEAP, 1 adult football, historic orchard

QF8 Valley Gardens (in use, but yet to be adopted)

0.33 B + H LEAP

QF9 Thatcham Avenue open space & woodland (in use, but yet to be adopted)

2.03 D + B

Type

A Parks and gardens

B Informal green space

C Allotments

D Countryside and natural spaces

E Green infrastructure

F Civic spaces

G Cemeteries

H Spaces for children and young people

I Amenity Green Space

J Sports provision


36

QF10 Daniel’s Meadow (in use, but yet to be adopted)

0.85 E + B

QF11 Coltishall Close (Area 4c) 0.31 B + E + H LEAP

QF12 Stanbridge Way orchard (Area 4c) (in use, but yet to be adopted)

0.14 B

QF13 Buckenham Sports Park (in use, but yet to be adopted)

1.21 J + H + B 2 x tennis courts, 1 x MUGA, NEAP

QF14 Watermint Drive 0.25 B

QF15+

Kingsway development open spaces (not yet built/adopted)

Future

tbc

To be confirmed

Total: 22.28ha

The open space facilities in Quedgeley Fieldcourt, also help serve the adjacent Quedgeley

Severn Vale ward, which is severely deficient in sports pitches. However, the busy A38 dual

carriageway, which runs through the centre of the ward does act as a major barrier for

residents in the west of the ward and may deter residents from accessing the new open

space facilities at Kingsway and Waterwells to the east of the ward.

A skatepark is located on the Fieldcourt open space and is used by the local young people in

the area. Recent correspondence from some young people living in the area suggest that

they would like some improvements made to the skatepark.

New allotment provision has also been secured in the Kingsway development, but this is not

yet constructed. This should happen in the next 3-5 years.

Needham Avenue is a peripheral open space accessed from a private road off Naas Lane in

Quedgeley. Open space provision along Naas Lane is now well served by Waterwells

Playing Field, so Needham Avenue may be a site to consider for disposal.

There are several play areas in Quedgeley that are managed by Quedgeley Parish Council.

Some of the play equipment is nearing the end of its useful life and the city council will work

with the Parish to investigate opportunities for funding new play areas.

Other local priorities will be developed in consultation with the local community as

part of the development of the Quedgeley Fieldcourt Ward Open Space Action Plan.


37

Figure 10: Map of Open Space in Quedgeley Fieldcourt

Source: Draft Open Space Strategy (2012)


38

6.3 Green Infrastructure

The Daniels Brook runs along the northern boundary of the ward and the Dimore Brook runs

to the south of the ward through Waterwells and then comprises the southern boundary of

the ward as it flows eastwards towards the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal.

Under the emerging Draft Green Infrastructure Plan enhancements are proposed to the

existing Daniels’ Brook green corridor.

Figure 11 below clearly illustrates all the green infrastructure within the ward

Biodiversity – Appendix 1 of the 2002 Second Deposit Gloucester City Local Plan identifies

the following sites as important for nature conservation;

NC13 - Daniels Brook Grade C

NC27 – Quedgeley Moat Grade D

NC28 – Daniels Meadow Grade C


39

6.4 Water

Daniels Brook experienced flooding in July 2007 with properties in Bodiam Avenue in

Grange Ward affected by flooding.

The ward has two historic moats which are protected by historic monument status, both of

the moats hold water except during the dry summer months.

Flood zones include a small area immediately to the south of the mobile home park at

Woodlands Park and areas adjacent to Daniel’s Brook

6.5 Sustainability

As well as the Council’s kerbside recycling facility additional recycling facilities are available

at Tesco’s Quedgeley in the District Centre.


40

7.0 Previously Identified Issues

7.1 Issues Arising from Quedgeley Parish Plan (May 2012)

1. Seek to improve public transport facilities if this is identified as a need by the local

community

2. Provide a commuter halt on the main railway line at Quedgeley to avoid commuting to

Gloucester or Cam

3. Ensure existing cycle/footways are maintained and improved

4. Promote green infrastructure linkages to countryside

5. Improve broadband speeds across Quedgeley parish

6. Seek provision of an additional secondary school close to Quedgeley to avoid need for

pupils to commute to remote locations.

7. Promote outdoor educational play opportunities

8. Lobby for and secure health care services to meet the needs of Quedgeley including

Kingsway

9. Aquire Clearwater Drive and Dimore II through localism for community use

10. Provide a high quality ibnterbet café

11. Facilitate better childcare provision within the community.

12. Undertake an audit of trees and establish those that need to be protected

13. Encourage new development to encorporate sustainable building and energy saving

technologies

14. Establish a Quedgeley car share/community minibus scheme

15.To preserve and enhance biodiversity in the parish

16. Local jobs for local people, including apprenticeships by local companies for local young

people 17. Ensure delivery of new community centre at Kingsway on land identified in local

centre for that purpose

18. To ensure delivery of a church on land identified for a place of worship at Kingsway local

centre

19.To ensure delivery of allotments on land identified for such at Kingsway – to be managed

by QPC

20.To encourage social inclusion and a cohesive community

21.To deliver a youth centre on Kingsway to provide a range of services and activities for the

young people in the area

22. Promote Quedgeley as a place for new businesses to come and locate in

23. Seek the retention of all existing open space in the parish for recreational purposes

24. To ensure a mix of housing types and sizes in new development

25. To work with housing associations to better understand housing need within Quedgeley

26. To work with strategic plan making authorities to ensure the character of Quedgeley is

maintained


41

7.2 Kingsway Have your Say day

When residents in Kingsway were asked what is important to them in their home and

neighbourhood, the most popular answers were sense of community and local amenities.

7.3 What residents have previously said about this area?

During the City Vision City Plan Summer 2011 consultation the following comments were

made about sites within Quedgeley Fieldcourt;

Comments from Quedgeley Event 11th August 2011

How will sites beyond the city be considered by City Plan?

More public open space is required in the parish

More affordable housing is required in the parish

Lower housing densities should be pursued through the City Plan.

Parish is short of community services and facilities, schools, libraries etc..

Public transport networks are poor

Should be no new development to the south of the City in Stroud

0

5

10

15

20

25

No

. o

f ti

mes m

en

tio

ned

What's important to you about your home and neighbourhood?


42

Written responses to consultation

Need to provide community and social infrastructure alongside new dwellings at

Kingsway

Industrial units purchased for investment on Waterwells in 2004 & 2005 have only all

been fully let for a period of less than 8 months. There is currently an oversupply of such

property in this part of the City therefore an additional employment land allocation to the

east of Waterwells is questionable?

Support for land East of Waterwells and IM Group land being developed for employment

purposes.

Lynton Fields and land to East of Waterwells should be allocated for housing with

associated public open space and contributions to public services.

Mayos Land should be allocated as open space

Commercial leisure should come forward on the RMC site

A new passenger station should be provided on the mainline railway

Need to address the shortfall of public open space in Quedgeley and provide a

swimming pool, plus improve access to health services.

The future planning of Quedgeley needs to be co-ordinated in conjunction with Stroud

District as permitted housing developments in Stroud impact on services and facilities

within Quedgeley.

New housing should be developed at a maximum density of 25 dwellings per ha.

7.4 2006 LDF Site Allocations and Designations (Non- Central Area) consultations

August- September 2006

Objection by IM group to non allocation of land to east of Kingsway and north of Naas

Lane for a rail freight terminal

7 representations objecting to Policy SAD.23 Mayo’s Land – objections to phasing;

sustainability; highways; green field site so should not be developed for residential

purposes.

3 representations objecting to Policy SAD.31 stating that land to the east of Waterwells

should be retained solely for employment purposes and not be used for other purposes

such as for a Showman’s Guild Site

2 representations supporting Policy SAD.33 use of IM Group site for B1 and B8

purposes

2 representations objecting to Policy SAD.33 use of IM Group site – contributions

required for M5 J12 improvements & in accuracy of site area identified.


43

1 representation supporting Policy SAD.36 – Extension to Quedgeley District Centre

7.5 Previous local plan allocations

The Gloucester City Local Plan Second Deposit Draft (August 2002) identified the following

commitments and allocations for Quedgeley Fieldcourt;

1. MU5 – RAF Quedgeley (which included a small site to the west of A38 dual carriageway)

Mixed use allocation to include housing with associated public open space, community

facilities and services and employment.

2. Employment Commitment 1 – Waterwells Business Park

3. E.2.2 – RMC Site, Waterwells Business Park, employment allocation of 7.2ha for B1

uses

4. E.2.5 – Land east of Waterwells Business Park, employment allocation of 15.1ha for B1

uses

5. E.2.6 – IM Group Site, Naas Lane, 6.4ha for B8 uses

6. Land to the north and south of the identified local centre was allocated for additional

retail development.

7. A site to the north west of Waterwells Business Park was identified for a Park and Ride

facility and for the extension of the Park and Ride car park.

8. Policy TR.42 looked to safeguard land south of Naas Lane for a proposed new railway

station.

9. Policy TR.43 looked to safeguard land at RAF Quedgeley adjacent to the main line

railway for a rail freight terminal.

7.6 Extant major permissions

Kingsway

The following remains to be constructed of this urban extension;

1000 dwellings to the east and south of the site

The remainder of the local centre including retail, community centre, place of worship

and medical facility

A two form entry primary school with associated children’s centre to the south of the

site


44

Framework 5 employment land approx 15ha of employment related development

A new convenience retail store on Framework 5 employment land

Waterwells Business Park

The whole site has extant outline permission for employment uses. There are 2 sites with

extant detailed permission for employment development (B1 & B8).

Planning permission was granted in November 2012 for the erection of a new police

custody suite adjacent to the Gloucestershire Police Headquarters building and accessed

from Edison Close (12/00742/FUL).

RMC Site

The whole site has extant outline permission for employment uses. There are 2 sites with

extant detailed permission for employment development (B1).

Mayos Land

This is a greenfield site to the south of the ward that lies between the Bristol Road and the

A38 dual carriageway that abuts the administrative boundary of the City with Stroud District

and has outline planning permission for the erection of 49 dwellings subject to the

completion of a S.106 legal agreement.

Date post:	21-Apr-2018
Category:	Documents
Upload:	truongcong
View:	220 times
Download:	3 times

Ward Area Profile Quedgeley Fieldcourt - Gloucester and Property/Ward... · Ward Area Profile:...

Documents