Gloucester City Homes, Gloucester City Council and Gloucestershire County Council are working together to develop a wide partnership involving local residents, community groups, local schools, healthservices, the police, environmental groups and community partners.

In November 2022, all residents of Matson received a newsletter proving an update on our ongoing investment plans.  Including plans to invest over £4 million in improving the energy efficiency of existing homes in Matson, as part of an overall £12 million investment across Gloucester. This will result in all homes achieving an energy efficiency rating of at least band C and importantly it will reduce heating costs.

Unfortunately, the combination of limited access to suitable land and the current economic situation, which has significantly increased our development costs and the interest costs for the finance we would need to borrow to build the new homes, means that we are not able to progress with our wider regeneration plans at this time. 

We recognise Matson for the vibrant community that it is and remain committed to continuing to work with residents and community organisations, investing in your homes and community for the longer term. We share your passion for Matson and remain ambitious for future investment in the area to build new homes and improve community spaces. 

We are not going anywhere and will continue to explore any future opportunities as they arise, continuing to work in partnership with community organisations including the Matson, Robinswood and White City Community Partnership and ward councillors. 

GCH has arrived at a masterplan through consultation with the community. The current masterplan sets out a clear ambition to create new homes, shops and public open spaces that will be delivered over the next 5 years. Running alongside the masterplan GCH will invest in all remaining Podsmead homes to bring them up to EPC C standard.

There will be regular website and social media updates for each community.

When regeneration goes ahead it is highly likely that there will be a certain level of disruption to some people’s lives, homes, businesses and local facilities. We will do all we reasonably can to minimise this and work with you through our customer liaison teams. Regenerating an area does often mean some improvement demolition and rebuilding, together with the associated inconvenience to local people whilst that work takes place. The outcome should improve things for all residents.

Existing businesses and local groups will have been given every opportunity to participate in the consultations and to help shape the plan. If there are proposals to move or replace existing facilities, then we hope this will be as a direct result of those discussions and the aim will be to either improve or provide brand new facilities on the regenerated estate.

It all depends on whether you are directly affected by any proposals and when these might be likely to take place. It’s best to keep an eye on the proposals and then discuss with us when these might happen. You can then make an informed decision on whether to improve your home and if so when.

Yes, there will be a detailed programme of support for any directly affected households. The full extent of this will only be known when specific proposals for regeneration are brought forward after the plan is agreed and planning permission is granted by the City Council.

It all depends if you are moving to a new home. A new home is likely to have cost more to build than your current home and the rents are likely to be higher to help pay for the cost. However to compensate the new homes will have been built to a much higher energy efficiency standard and so this should result in lower energy costs.

There are many factors that will help to set future rent levels, such as the type, size and facilities that will be provided.

Those people eligible for Universal Credit or Housing Benefit would still get help with their rents.

Some residents will not be affected and they will remain in their current homes. If you are affected, you will be offered suitable alternative options, which may include a move to a new home in the community, or if you want, you could move to other areas, close by or further afield.

If you are a tenant or homeowner who lives in a home which may be affected, we will come and see you and discuss the range of options which could be available to each household, including support and compensation.

Yes – we will share the plans at our consultation event and online. The plans are being drawn up having listened carefully to what people have told us is important. 

Links to the plans will appear here as soon as they are available.

Yes – the plan will help to influence and connect up a whole range of improvements and initiatives; including housing, health and social care, education, community development, shops, transport etc. Agencies responsible for planning future provision of these services have all been involved in the partnership.

As part of the regeneration we aim to make better use of the existing space and build additional homes to meet local housing needs. We are planning to build 173 new homes in Podsmead.

The development in Podsmead includes a new pharmacy.

Yes – the aim is to improve the range and quality of facilities in Podsmead and building 173 new homes. The new people this will bring to the area will help to support shops, schools and local services, and improve public transport.

All new homes will be provided with parking spaces in accordance with current standards. New homes will not impact on existing homes or parking.

Some public open space will be given over to enable the development of new homes and shops to improve Podsmead. The retained public open space will be enhanced, providing more flexible spaces, including a multi-use sport and play area for younger and older children. This will be of benefit both to the local community and the wider city.

It may do depending on whether we are improving or replacing existing homes or building additional new homes. If your home is affected, we will come and talk to you personally before proceeding further. We want to work together with you to improve homes in your neighbourhood.

Now that our planning application has been submitted, it is over to Gloucester City Council to begin their statutory consultation.

From the very beginning, in mid 2017, we have been listening to residents, community groups, shop owners and a number of different interested parties, incorporating views into the plans for Podsmead. The finished plans have taken account of all the views that have been expressed and we have tried to incorporate as many of the ideas as possible.

Our planning application has been submitted.

We hope Gloucester City Council will approve the plans by late 2024.

We would then commence construction in March 2025 and aim to complete the redevelopment in 2030.