Dear Editor,
Dale Vince’s claims that Gloucestershire Highways are delaying the construction of his football ground and business park should be taken with a pinch of salt.
The dual carriageway isn’t a new requirement – it was part of Ecotricity’s original planning application in 2016 and was key to satisfying Highways England when the application was eventually approved in 2019.
Ecotricity have since submitted another application for the site which includes a hotel, care home and offices all of which will increase week day traffic. Instead of complaining and leaving the local community to cope with increased traffic congestion, Dale should live up to the commitments he has already made.
Regards,
Andy Davies
Westend
Stonehouse
Response from Dale Vince
This letter confuses several different things – the requirement for dealing works does date back to the original stadium proposal and permission – but at the insistence of road authorities – it was not a choice. And the logic behind that insistence is non existent – other than to achieve ‘planning gain’. The subsequent application including biz park and potential care home (something the district has a need for) has yet to be consented and would have a different impact on traffic to a football stadium.
The point that dual carriageway building is an obligation placed upon us which is holding up the stadium proposal stands – it’s a matter of fact.
