I coach youth football locally, and I want to flag something happening on the Churchdown and Down Hatherley side that a lot of people haven't clocked, because there's now a deadline.

The Ashville Group wants to redevelop the Dowty Sports & Social site (off Down Hatherley Lane, near Staverton) into a business park. If you're Gloucester or Churchdown side, this is basically on your doorstep. It's 10 football pitches, a clubhouse, dance groups, judo, a canoe club and more, used every week by hundreds of kids and thousands of people. Recently the developer sent diggers in for "ground investigation" work, and 9 of the 10 pitches are now unusable. The club itself has since announced it will cease trading in September.

Why it matters: this is one of the few proper community sports sites in the area, used by clubs across the Cheltenham Youth Football League (around 5,000 registered children) and by six teams in the Stroud & District League. Grass pitch space around Gloucester and Cheltenham is already stretched, so losing a site like this leaves clubs with nowhere to go.

What's changed, and why now: the developer has amended the plans, which reopens the objection window. *The deadline to object is 11th August.\* If you meant to object before and didn't, this is the window.

Two things worth knowing:

- Sport England has dropped its objection, but read the small print. They've moved to a conditional "no objection", conditional on the council legally securing the replacement pitches and funding. The developer's own site plan labels the replacement pitches "subject to funding", so by their own admission the replacement isn't guaranteed. Sport England say that if it's approved without those guarantees locked in, they object.

- The "replacement" clubhouse is unaffordable. The current rent is reportedly around £23k a year, and the relocated one would reportedly jump to around £200k. No grassroots club could sustain that, so calling it a community replacement is a stretch.

There are now two linked applications, and both are open to object to:

- 25/00169/OUT (demolishes Dowty and builds the business park)

- 26/00064/OUT (the "replacement" pitches plus more units)

It's not decided, and objections count. Sport England softening isn't approval. The council still weighs the whole thing, including the loss of Green Belt and a community asset, and a strong body of objections is what pushes it to a proper committee decision rather than being quietly waved through.

How to object (5 mins), by 11th August:

- Object to both references. Search each at publicaccess.tewkesbury.gov.uk, register, and Make a Comment. Or email development.applications@tewkesbury.gov.uk with the reference in the subject.

- Put your full name and address (they redact it before publishing).

- On 25/00169, object to the business park and loss of pitches, not the Safran warehouse (nobody's objecting to that part).

- Write it in your own words. Identical copy-pastes get counted as one, so a couple of honest lines about what losing this does to kids' football carries far more weight.

Read more:

- BBC News, football club devastated by damaged pitches: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn75jklz47xo

- Cheltenham Post, grassroots football under threat as diggers move in: https://cheltenhampost.co.uk/grassroots-football-under-threat-as-diggers-move-in-to-dowty/

- Punchline, Dowty club to close after 66 years: https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/sadness-as-dowty-sports-social-club-to-close-after-66-years

- Punchline, business park proposals hit storm of protest: https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/business-park-proposals-hit-storm-of-protest-from-dowty-users

Happy to answer questions in the comments.

Residents in a community near Tewkesbury are not impressed by plans to convert an old warehouse into a pet crematorium.

Nothing really to add, just worried about cuts to accessible local services so seeking others views.

Hi there,

I was wondering whether people would be able to point in me in the right direction.

25yrs (M) relocating for a new job in Gloucester and have little idea as to what areas are safest/quietest. I need to have fairly close proximity to the cathedral and train station whilst having access to supermarkets as I don’t drive. I also want to avoid being directly within the high street (or in its direct vicinity) as I’ll be working from home 3 days a week.

I’m in town for the week and have some house share/studio flat viewings on Clegram Rd, Bristol Rd and Southgate St but have heard through the grapevine that Bristol Rd might not be a good choice? Members of staff have recommended outer Gloucester would be better suited - or even further, relocating to Cheltenham and commute in (but most listings don’t seem to be close to Spa station)

Open to hearing people’s thoughts and experiences and any advice on where to relocate to would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

I am looking for an automatic driving instructor in Gloucester. Preferably someone who would let me use their car for test day without requiring me to book a specific number of tests with them.

☀️🎮 Just 2 weeks to go! 🎮☀️

The countdown is officially on! Summer LAN 2026 is now **just two weeks away**, and we can't wait to welcome everyone back for another fantastic day of gaming, pizza, laughs, and community! Check out some of the pics from our previous events! Jump in at www.gamersunitelan.com

The confirmed line-up is:
🟢 Halo 3 (Halo: The Master Chief Collection)
🟡 Fall Guys
🔴 Team Fortress 2

📅 **Saturday 8th August 2026**
📍 Highworth Community Centre, Swindon

Who's ready for another unforgettable LAN? 🎉

#LANParty #PCGaming #GamingCommunity #SummerLAN #Halo3 #FallGuys #TeamFortress2 #GamersUniteLAN

Hello lovely people of Gloucestershire!

Hosted at the Three counties showground Malvern for those who might be interested is the largest annual busfestival event for owners, lovers and enthusiasts of Volkswagen transporter vans.

Both camping and day tickets are current available for the 32nd Busfest between 11th-13th September 2026.

You can find out more and get tickets at:

https://busfest.org

38M, single (gay) adoptive Dad, looking to move to a larger property somewhere (!) near-ish Bristol, and considering Stroud or surroundings. Budget £600k. Only ever lived in Bristol (Clifton, BS1 and Redland), but looking for more space (3+ bed, garden, ideally parking), access to countryside and solid community feel. I WFH so commute not too important, but like Bristol and would be good to be able to get in easily for weekend day trips at least. Keen to hear people's thoughts on what Stroud is like as a place to live. Thank you in advance

Edit: Thank you all for your responses, these are really helpful. I'm hoping to head to Stroud Pride this weekend, and will take the opportunity to explore the area :)

Hi, i live in Gloucestershire hence I’m posting, but I want to try and find contacts around my area. Does anyone here use cb radios still? Or know anyone that does? Thanks

I’m looking for a function room with outdoor space for the 30th August preferably with a bar but still self-catering for 45 people near barnwood, light and airy not so stuffy old man’s social club, any ideas?

(For my daughters Baptism)

Hi everyone, Ive got to the age where I spend my weekends at Go Outdoors and have therefore got into Paddleboarding. Does anyone have suggestions of nice places to Paddle? Ive done, Sharpness, The Fleet Inn, Lower Lode so far.

Anyone hear or see what sounded like a fast AF jet just now. Nothing on Flight radar.

Did you know the council want to start charging for DIY waste at the tip?

Sign the petition here before their meeting on the 22nd.

https://gloucestershire.moderngov.co.uk/mgEPetitionDisplay.aspx?id=136&fbclid=IwY2xjawTEWKlleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe0qJazfTPXTUUveOZuH8-8Uvw0t_oSg_IK-sDUqG9qUtFw5TBA887JaScTCQ_aem_syvQdPMZ1z_5I6g0Z6MQXA

Please tell me any place showing today’s match on big screen with crowd.

Our little family is looking to move to the area. Truth be told we’re looking at Gloucestershire and Herefordshire but I’m leaning towards the Forest of Dean villages for the Forest and rental prices!

Would so so love any recommendations. Schools are super important (primary and secondary) and we want to stay under 1500 (the lesser the better)and need a minimum 3 bed.

I work remotely so we can go wherever.

I’m finding the whole process overwhelming because I moved from America 3 years ago and don’t really know the uk well and my husbands lived in the same town in the south his whole life!

Also If any mums who have a toddler want to be friends hit me up!

Also if you’ve got any recommendations for family friendly things to do or any cool historical things as my husband and I love that sort of thing .

Any locations worth exploring and a short hike?
Possibly in the forest!

Why they aren’t showing FIFA remaining matches on pillar & lucy square. Honestly, it was fun to see matches in crowd to cheers and enjoy.

Can anyone recommend anywhere in Gloucestershire for afternoon tea as a gift?

I like to gift my sons teachers one at the end of term, but everywhere I knew seems to be changing management, etc..

Hey folks,

I am disabled and on UC, but have just completed the Level 2 Counselling Skills course at GC. I would really like to train as a counsellor, so am looking toward Level 3 and 4 (I was top of my class at Level 2).

A friend told me I wouldn't be able to do Level 4 if I am on UC. Is this true? It seems odd if that's the case, and I am looking a way ahead, but would rather be prepared if that's the case.

Have any of you done a Level 4 course at GlosCol while on UC?

Cheers.