A consortium of authorities (Gloucester City Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Stroud District Council and Forest of Dean District Council) commissioned LUC to undertake a strategic growth options study to identify land for strategic housing development in Gloucestershire. The study identified areas with a capacity for 500 or more dwellings to meet long-term housing needs.

LUC, in association with ITP, HDH Planning and Navigus Planning, prepared the Assessment of Strategic Development Opportunities on behalf of the Councils. It involved the preparation and application of a robust methodology to identify development locations beyond existing settlement boundaries.

The study is being used to inform the preparation of the Joint Core Strategy and relevant local plans in Gloucestershire.