STROUD District Council's local plan has been paused following concerns raised by inspectors. 

The council has requested a pause in the process which maps out development in the district for the next 20 years, saying it needs more time to address planning inspectors' concerns. 

Government planning inspectors wrote to the council during the summer break in the examination of the draft plan.

Their main concern is the capacity of the M5 Motorway at Junction 12 and Junction 14 to support new development.

The two other issues raised by the inspectors concern the viability of the public transport solutions at the proposed Sharpness new settlement, and the cost of a new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the M5 to facilitate the planned new settlement at Wisloe, between Cam and Slimbridge.

The inspectors also suggested that it may be appropriate for the council to withdraw the draft local plan and for the current examination in public process to come to an end.

The council responded on Tuesday (August 29) requesting that the examination in public is paused for a period of six months, to allow time for the council to address and find solutions to their concerns before allowing the examination to continue. 

The inspectors will now consider the council's response before deciding on whether to stop or pause their examination of the draft plan.

SDC leader Cllr Catherine Braun said: "It is very important to all of us who live and work in Stroud district that we have a local plan in place so that we can control where new housing and development takes place.

"Our draft plan has taken four years to prepare and been through extensive consultation with residents and businesses, parish and town councils in the district. 

"If we don't have a local plan to meet central government-imposed housing targets then planning applications in unsuitable locations, and without the community infrastructure that's needed will end up getting approved on appeal." 

Chair of SDC environment committee Cllr Chloe Turner said: "I'm pleased that the planning inspectors do not have any issues with the majority of our draft plan. 

"It is therefore very surprising and disappointing that they are suggesting we withdraw it. 

"With a six month pause in the timetable for the plan examination, I'm hopeful that we can address the concerns." 

Copies of the inspector's letter and the council's response can be seen at -tinyurl.com/yn995xzm