Informal business meeting & induction - Symn Lane Car Park

Following receipt of the Stripe Consulting Report and other documentation from the Town Council, last week, I've had a meeting with the other district councillors about the car park.

We all want the car park to be opened as soon as possible. However, the developer left site a year ago and there are unresolved planning matters. The schedule of works is long and complex.

In order to get the new town councillors up to speed with the development a meeting was called, by the Town Council, for the 4th June. I was invited in my role as SDC Councillor. The purpose was to understand what's required to get the highway adopted by GCC and the car park signed off.

The Symn Lane Car Park is a Town Council led project^* and we were advised that the discussions were not to be made public.

Anyway, on a more personal note, the petition (started last December) to object to the planning variation to remove the 12 parking bays on the bank (if it ever comes before DCC) is still available for signature at Cookability. I will speak to that effect as it was a pre-election personal promise to those who have signed (approx. 300). Details on the Wotton Noticeboard group on Facebook.

In terms of an update, this is the most recent that I can find that's in the public domain, although there was lengthy discussion at a public meeting (Bolster Wotton, I think) in the Civic Centre at the end of April.

https://www.punchline-gloucester.com/articles/aanews/wotton-under-edge-car-park-scheme-delay-over-ev-charge-points-and-final-sign-off

Following that article, these points are from town council minutes in chronological order (updated since originally published):-

P6357 Symn Lane Car Park development (November 2023)

A meeting with the parking consultants, Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council will be convened to discuss the consultant’s report.

T.7042 Symn Lane Car Park (December 2023)

The developer had submitted a planning variation. Stroud District Council and the developer are in communications. Councillors were reminded to watch the Stroud District Council’s YouTube channel for webcast recordings of Housing and Planning Committees. The joint multi-organisation meeting will be arranged in January/February 2024.

T.7054 Symn Lane Car Park (January 2024)

Following a meeting with Stroud District Council officers and Stripe Consulting it was RESOLVED to generate a list of negotiation items to take forward to the developer. A meeting was arranged for 7th February to discuss and to decide which option in the consultants’ report to pursue.

T.7068 Symn Lane Car Park (February 2024)

It was RESOLVED to delegate responsibility of commissioning a solicitor for legal advice to the Town Clerk with Cllr M Tucker

T.7070 Symn Lane Car Park (February 2024)

The Stripe Consulting report and Councillors analysis and suggestions were reviewed. There was a lengthy discussion particularly on the documents on the Stroud District Council planning portal, the number of bays options and locations.

Due to the major importance to the community and the town of this car park, and so many Councillors unfortunately not being able to be at the meeting, plus further detail of the discussions needed, the Council agreed to have a business meeting to methodically go through the report plus other areas for the list for discussion at the next joint Stroud District Council/Gloucestershire County Council/Town Council meeting.

T.7089 Symn Lane Car Park (February 2024)

A lengthy discussion was held on a list of items for query and discussion with SDC and GCC. There are still several unknowns requiring SDC and GCC input. It was agreed for the list to includes Options A, B, C..etc depending on SDC and GCC discussions.

P.6408. Symn Lane Car Park development (March 2024)

There were discussions on the issues raised by the Stripe consultancy report, the District Council’s building control report, and the planning variation of the 12 bays on the embankment and the further information required which would be discussed at the joint meeting with Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire County Council.

T.7133 Symn Lane Car Park (April 2024)

An update was given on the joint meeting with Gloucestershire County Council and Stroud District Council, and responses to actions received to date.

County Cllr L Cohen left the meeting

Further information is required on the lighting options of the dark area, drainage including responsibilities of management of oil interceptors, details on substrate and ground base in different areas and requirements of the car park, bank stability and parking layout options, use of tree area. Information being obtained from Stripe Consulting, Gloucestershire County Council, Wessex Water, and Stroud District Council.

T.7140 Symn Lane Car Park (May 2024)

A new proposal was considered. The tracking report was reviewed, some bays may need to be wider and need to be explored. The S.104 Agreement would also need to be cross checked with the new proposal. It was RESOLVED to check the new proposal and the S.104 Agreement viability with Stripe Consulting.

P 6434 Symn Lane Car Park (May 2024)

An update from the Planning Officer from the Planning Authority

• The suggested additional parking around the large Chestnut tree was inspected by the Tree Officer and Consultant to reassess the tree with the proposal of more parking spaces closer to the tree. It was confirmed that any further encroachment into the area would likely have a detrimental effect on the tree as it appears to have been under significant stress during the development.
• The concern raised with the stability of the bank would present a risk if parking spaces were to be installed in this area.
• Due to the complexity of the car park it was suggested that a working group meeting would be arranged so that the new Councillors would be fully brief on the project.

Mayor’s report in the Wotton Directory (July 2024)

A geo-technical survey is being carried out on the bank that is subject to a planning application, the results will help with options to discuss with the developer to enable the car park to be completed to standard.

P.6448 Symn Lane Car Park (June 2024)

It was reported that a geotechnical survey is awaited on the car park, and that the developer wishes to complete the project. To enable the Town Council to negotiate, it was decided to hold a meeting to discuss and formulate a plan. The Clerk would gather all relevant information and collate it into a pack, before circulating it to Councillors prior to a meeting on Wednesday 3rd July at 7.00pm to discuss options.

P.6452 (July 2024)

Stroud District Council Chief Executive explained that this was a complex situation that everyone was keen to resolve. She was keen to hear the Town Council’s situation and to meet with the developer and others to agree a way forward. The Chairman of the Planning Committee, Cllr R Claydon, presented the history of the development and the Town Council’s expectations and actions with the planning decisions and agreements and the role of Stroud District Council. He listed the current concerns of residents, businesses, and the Town Council and outlined the way forward. He emphasised the Town Council wanted an evidence-based safe, fit for purpose car park that met British Standards and the original planning application and obligations that did not have long term financial implications for the town. There followed a lengthy discussion on the issues and concerns including the stability of the bank; the construction of the car park; drainage including pollution run-off; the deliverability of 80 bays when professional vehicle tracking states only 61 usable bays unless the site is reconfigured; planning requirements and enforcement; the criteria for the Town Council to accept the car park; whether another local authority or management company would accept the car park when they could not charge for parking; and possible solutions. It was RESOLVED to accept the list of concerns, issues, evidence requirements, and possible solutions to discuss with the developer. There followed a discussion on which Councillors would attend a meeting with the developer. Cllrs P Smith, R Claydon and D Thomas nominated themselves. There followed a discussion on the numbers to attend a meeting and the suggestion that one person was enough, and that Stroud District Council could use their negotiator to put forward the Councils’ agreements. The Stroud District Council Chief Executive stated that the meeting needed to be constructive, the position is set out clearly, and all parties should be prepared to negotiate.

It was RESOLVED for two Town Councillors, Cllrs P Smith and R Claydon, to attend a meeting with the developer.

The Stroud District Council Chief Executive stated she would meet with the developer with an open mind and she expects all parties to do the same.

Mayor’s report in the Wotton Directory (August 2024)

The Town Council are working with Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, and the developer on completing the car park to standard, ensuring legal compliance, and meeting building control, planning and highway requirements to enable a successful and fit for purpose development for legal sign off and handover.

T.7229 Symn Lane Car Park (Sept 2024)

There was a lengthy discussion on the correspondence received from the Chief Executive of Stroud District Council on their meeting with the developer. The Town Council discussed its concerns including the lack of direct engagement by the developer with the Town Council, the content of the S.106 Agreement, the management of the S.106 Agreement and enforcement, the professional report by architects and structural engineers commissioned by the Town Council, the evidence required on the construction of the car park and the drainage, the evidence required on the stability of the bank, the reduced number of usable bays and the works required to increase them, health and safety requirements, impact on the site of climate change, inspection and professional sign off of works, current and future costs and risks. It was RESOLVED to respond to Stroud District Council the Town Council concerns, requirements, and proposals of solutions. It was noted that District Cllr G Kitchen was submitting a petition to object to the planning variation to remove the 12 spaces on the bank edge.

Mayor’s report in the Wotton Directory (November 2024)

SDC is acting a mediator between TC and the developer. The TC commissioned a professional report on the car park which identified areas for resolution. The TC has identified areas of concern and the requirement for evidence including on construction and drainage of the car park, the stability of the bank, the reduced number of usable bays and the work required to increase them, health and safety requirements, impact of climate change, inspection and professional sign off of works, current and future costs and risks. The TC has sent the District Council its proposals for solutions for discussion with the developer. The TC, GCC, SDC and the developer are keen to resolve the issues asap.

T.7271 Symn Lane Car Park (November 2024)

The Town Council expressed frustration and disappointment at Stroud District Council sharing information to the developer without approval. The Town Council are expecting comment from Stripe Consulting Ltd shortly. There was a discussion on a possible conflict of interest by Stroud District Council in the negotiations and the legal implications. It was RESOLVED to send the Council’s negotiation list sent to Stripe Consultancy Ltd for comment to Stroud District Council amended with a requirement for a completion date by the developer as part of the legal agreement. This would be updated with Stripe Consultancy Ltd comments when received. There would be a further report at Planning Committee.

This was subsequently amended before approval:-

18th November 2024 - T.7271 to amend to send the Council’s v6 negotiation list sent to Stripe Consultancy Ltd for comment to Stroud District Council amended with a requirement for a completion date by the developer as part of the legal agreement updated with Stripe Consultancy Ltd comments when received.
 
P.6507 Symn Lane Car Park development (November 2024)

a) The quote for monitoring and inspection works was reviewed. It was RESOLVED to accept the quote subject to satisfactory terms and conditions.

b) The list of issues to be resolved including acceptance of satisfactory evidence and comments from Stripe Consulting Ltd was reviewed. It was RESOLVED to include Stripe Consulting Ltd comments to the list and send to Stroud District Council for their negotiations with the developer.

P.6519 Symn Lane Car Park development (December 2024)

There was a lengthy discussion on the information received from Stroud District Council, further clarification and queries were raised. The Town Council were appreciative of the work and the negotiations the District Council were doing on behalf of Wotton Under Edge and the Town Council. It was RESOLVED to send the list of queries and areas of clarification to the District Council for further discussion.

T.7305 Symn Lane Car Park (January 2025)

The schedule or works were reviewed in detail and amendments agreed to be submitted to Stroud District Council for their negotiations with the developer. The agreement from Stroud District Council for the housing was reviewed and it was RESOLVED for comments to be sent to the Town Clerk to respond to Stroud District Council.

P.6533 Symn Lane Car Park development (January 2025)

An update was given on the schedule of works which was agreed.

Mayor’s report in the Wotton Directory (March 2025)

As reported in the November 2024 edition of the Wotton Directory, Stroud District Council is acting as negotiator with the developer on the issues and concerns raised by the Town Council and its car park specialist consultant. This as been a lengthy process and, at the time of this article going to press, the Town Council is waiting for agreement from the developer on the outstanding items to be accepted and completed. Once the agreement has been received, the specialist consultant will work with the developer to ensure the car ark is completed to standard and fit for purpose. The planning approval was for 80 spaces but with the current layout, there are only 61 usable spaces. The Town Council has taken the pragmatic view that to enforce 80 spaces would not be acceptable by the developer and, if the bank is not usable to construct 12 spaces as per the planning agreement, the Council will follow the consultant's proposal of redesigning the layout where possible resulting in 69 spaces including disabled parking and two coach bays. We are hoping that this will now be sorted quickly and to standard and that Gloucestershire County Council, Stroud District Council, and the Town Council can carry out the necessary audits when completed and find that all is to standard and legal compliance so the car park can be considered for a handover from the developer to the Town Council. The Town Council thanks the Chief Executive of the District Council for her time on this.

P.6564. Symn Lane Car Park development (March 2025)

An update was given on the car park and the Town Council is awaiting a response from the developer regarding the schedule of works.

P.6576. Symn Lane Car Park development (April 2025)

An update was given on the car park and the Town Council is awaiting responses from Gloucestershire Highways, Stroud District Council and the developer regarding the schedule of works. This may have been delayed due to the recent email system issues. However, it was noted that a meeting needs to be arranged with the authorities detailed above to enable the completion of the car park.

It is noted that the condition of the car park is deteriorating due to vegetation growing in the paved areas.

T.7376 Symn Lane Car Park (April 2025)

The Town Council reviewed and discussed the latest correspondence from the Stroud District Council’s Major Planning and Environment Manager. The developer needs to send the updated master layout of the car park and to answer the outstanding queries so that the Town Council can instruct Stripe Consulting to inspect the construction and layout of the site for sign-off. It was RESOLVED to send the clarification of the Schedule of Works to Stroud District Council and a request to the SDC Chief Executive for a face-to-face meeting so that any misunderstandings and issues could be resolved for their negotiations with the developer.

T.7505 Symn Lane Car Park (May 2025)

The correspondence with Stroud District Council was noted. The District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, and the Town Council are still waiting for the developer to respond to the outstanding actions and evidence requests.

T.7524 Symn Lane Car Park (June 2025)

The Town Clerk had again written to the District Council Chief Executive asking for an update and expressing concern that the schedule of works needed to be signed off by the developer and the evidence requested by both the Town Council and County Council provided. The Chief Executive stated that she had chased up the developer and was awaiting a copy of the plans. Some Councillors expressed their deep concern and unhappiness with the delays and the refusal of a meeting.

Mayor’s report in the Wotton Directory (July 2025)

At the time of going to Press, Stroud District Council was still waiting for the developer to produce updated plans of the car park and the new development including evidence of drainage, bank stability, and construction technicalities. The Town Council is waiting for this evidence to enable its specialist consultants can ensure health and safety standards are met; inspect the viability and access of the vehicular bays for disabled users, coaches, and other vehicles; that construction meets required standards; electrical cabling is fit for lighting and CCTV, and for future ev-chargers; that drainage meets required standards; and other technical requirements; this evidence also ensures that the Council can work effectively with Gloucestershire County Council on the lighting to enable it is fit for purpose for a public car park, and to ensure the stability of the bank.

^*At Town Council - 21st July 2025 the mayor stated that the Symn Lane Car Park is not a Town Council led project.

T.7546 Symn Lane Car Park (July 2025)

The District Council had been written to asking for an update. There had not been any response from the developer. The Clerk had asked Stroud District Council for a response from their legal advisors.

T.7566 Symn Lane Car Park (August 2025)

Stroud District Council had contacted legal and were waiting for a response. There had still been no response from the developer.

P.6632. Symn Lane Car Park development (August 2025)

The Town Clerk has contacted K O’Leary Stroud District Council CEO and awaits an update on current issues.

P.6643 Symn Lane Car Park development (September 2025)

The Town Clerk has received some information from J Chaplin Stroud District Council Planning. However, he is waiting for further information from the developer to be able to resolve outstanding issues.

T.7582 Symn Lane Car Park (September 2025)

The developer has started communication with Stroud District Council Planning again. Further information is expected at the Town Council’s Planning Committee.

P.6643. Symn Lane Car Park development (September 2025)

The Town Clerk has received some information from J Chaplin Stroud District Council Planning. However, he is waiting for further information from the developer to be able to resolve outstanding issues.

P.6654. Symn Lane Car Park development (October 2025)

Revised planning application S.23/2101/VAR Variations of Condition 2 (approved plans) and 4 (landscaping)of application no S.19/1722/VAR to provide additional landscaping in lieu of parking. The developer has sent revised plans with alterations to the layout to accommodate disabled bays. This application was received too late to be added to the agenda. The Chairman gave a very brief background on the development. It was requested that the Town Clerk sends the application to the consultant for comment. An Extra Ordinary Planning Committee meeting would be held to consider the application. It was noted that the developer and Stroud District Council would be holding a meeting to discuss the proposed revisions early w/c 3rd November 2025, and the outcome from this meeting is awaited.

T.7630 Report from Stripe Consulting on Symn Lane Car Park planning application S.23/2101/VAR (November 2025)

There was a lengthy discussion on the report and queries arising from the comments. It was RESOLVED to agree to the comments from Stripe Consulting and the Stroud District Council comments subject to any feedback from Stripe Consulting. The Town Clerk to circulate the feedback from Stripe Consulting to Councillors

P.6657. Public Forum (November 2025)

The Chairman, Cllr R Claydon, explained that he would give a presentation on the history from 2016 to the present of the planning applications and development of the car park off Symn Lane. He would relax Standing Orders and allow the public to ask questions after to allow full debate and consideration.

Cllr R Claydon gave the presentation, a copy of the slides is attached to these Minutes. When completed he opened the meeting for the public and Councillors to ask questions.

Members of the public explained how the impact of the development and the length of time they had to deal with the delays; the state of the highways and drainage; the construction methods; the impact with water cut-offs; wear, tear, and damage on their vehicles; access/exits to property and surgery; rats coming up from the drainage; trips and falls needing medical intervention; had affected their lives and health.

Queries raised included:

• Why had Highways no actioned reports that the roads and pavements were dangerous?
• Why had properties been allowed to be occupied and the S.106 Agreement not enforced?
• Who maintains the bank and on what basis? It needs top be properly maintained and landscaped.
• What double-yellow lining proposed?
• Who is dealing with the drainage as the road floods?
• Why is the surgery allowed to use the fenced off car park?
• Is it worth trying for extra places?
• What is the timescale for completion?
• Are there retention monies to cover works?
• Who is responsible for the delays and works to date?
• What is happening with the EV points and lighting?

It was explained that:

• the developer owns the site which is still described as a construction site and the roads are not adopted by Gloucestershire County Council.
• The site is subject to planning regulations and consideration, and the developer is in negotiations with Stroud District Council.
• The Town Council has commissioned a car park construction specialist and produced a report of issues that the Town Council has considered, the approved Schedule or Works was negotiated by Stroud District Council with the developer and is now accepted. The specialist will work with the developer to ensure the car park is completed to standard and will be fit for purpose.
• The planning application will be discussed at this meeting for a decision on comments/objections/support to be sent to Stroud District Council for their consideration.
• The bank is not the responsibility of the Town Council; it is the responsibility of the developer. It may revert to a management organisation. Residents may wish to check their deeds for responsibilities and check the planning application on the landscaping plans.
• The double yellow lines are part of the scheme, and an application will need to be submitted to Gloucestershire County Council for consideration.
• The GP Surgery has a private agreement with the developer on staff parking on the current site when there are clinics being held
• The Town Council is discussing the lighting with Gloucestershire County Council Lighting Team to ensure it is fit for purpose for a public car park and that the CCTV would work effectively. The Lighting Plan needs to be approved and then submitted to Stroud District Council Planning for approval
• EV Charge cabling installed however the Town Council does not have the legal powers to run a charging station, and other arrangements will have to be considered
• The Town Council’s car parking specialist consultant will be reviewing the construction and works done including the Schedule of Works and the drainage
• Stroud District Council is holding retention monies and agreement
• Any issues should be reported to the appropriate organisation

District Cllr C Braun commented that she understood what people have been dealing with and she wants the site resolved as soon as possible. The debate over the number of spaces is for Stroud District Council Planning to decide. She was concerned that the developer would delay further completion. She felt that the cost and the stress that is being caused needs to be considered. She explained that the developer can have his own building inspector and not use the District Council’s. She said the there needs to be a detailed project plan and management plan for the handover of the site. She expressed disappointment and dismay that the developer would not engage with the Town Council. She hoped that the health and safety requirements of the site would be complied with and the site completed as soon as possible.

County Cllr L Cohen agreed with District Cllr C Braun and said that Gloucestershire County Highways needed to ensure the Schedule of Works was completed and the site completed as soon as possible as this was affecting people’s lives.

P.6659. Symn Lane Car Park development (November 2025)

Revised planning application S.23/2101/VAR Variations of Condition 2 (approved plans) and 4 (landscaping)of application no S.19/1722/VAR to provide additional landscaping in lieu of parking.

Councillors expressed significant concern with the timescales and getting everything done as soon as possible. They commented that the developer may choose to have more lengthy delays if another planning application was required. Concern was raised on the lack of planning enforcement. A Councillor expressed concern about the stability of the bank and the lack of preparation for the previous planning application that included parking bays on the bank, they felt with the correct construction and mitigation it would be achievable and could be properly landscaped. They referred to the previous Development Control Committee decision of 13th June 2023 that the developer should deliver the approved planning application. They also referred to District Cllr Gareth Kitchen’s petition. There was a general discussion on support/comments/objections, planning procedures, timescales and the public comments. District Cllr C Braun reminded Councillors that any comments received by the District Council Planner may be discussed with the developer. The Chairman suggested to support with comments that the Schedule of Works is carried out by the developer and to need to consider that the layout proposal is considered by Stripe Consulting Ltd and their response is included. Their followed an amendment which was proposed. It was RESOLVED to Support the planning application together with Comments that the Schedule of Works to be completed subject to Stripe Consulting Ltd consultation, prior to the release of the retention sum and prior to the Council being offered the car park. County Cllr L Cohen and 1 member of the public left

It was RESOLVED to approve the contact details of Stripe Consulting Ltd to be sent to Stroud District Council to send to the developer.

P.6662. Planning Application S.23/2101/VAR Land South of The Chipping Surgery, Symn Lane.

1. Variation of Condition 2 (approved plans) and 4 (landscaping) of application no. S.19/1722/VAR to provide additional landscaping in lieu of parking. Following the responses to recent alterations to the proposed variations made by Stripe Consulting Ltd. It was RESOLVED to support the planning application together with Comments already compiled and agreed at the Extraordinary Planning Committee meeting held on 6th November 2025, and that the Schedule of Works be a planning condition if the application was to be approved.
2. Invitation to the Stroud District Development Control Committee meeting 2nd December 2025. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Claydon would make a representation on behalf of the Town Council in support of the application accompanied by Cllr Smith.

P.6668. Chairman’s Report (December 2025)

The Chairman gave the following report: This is the statement I made to the Stroud District Council’s Development Control Committee held on 2nd December 2025 Symn Lane Car Park (S23/2101/VAR)

I am Councillor Roger Claydon, Chairman of the Town Council’s Planning Committee. This is not where we wanted to be. Our reasonable expectation at the outset was to have a well-built car park with 80 useable parking spaces which should have been in service years ago. Instead, the car park remains unfinished. Because of our concerns about how the project was progressing, the Town Council appointed a car park consultancy firm, Stripe Consulting Ltd, to assist our deliberations. Stripe’s Third-Party Design Review of the car park identified a range of construction concerns which have been relayed to SDC for inclusion in their list of issues for negotiation with the Developer. Stripe Consulting also provided us with a number of layout options showing how the main parking area could be re-modelled to deliver additional parking spaces. From these, the Town Council identified a preferred layout which was also provided to SDC for their negotiations. This layout is very similar to that now proposed by the Developer. The Town Council supports this planning application because:

• There is growing serious concern from residents about the on-going delay to the completion of the car park and, therefore, the need for it to be finished in the shortest possible timescale. Insisting on the 12-bay section would likely cause interminable further delay - or worse.

• The Town Council has strong desire to avoid any responsibility for the steep bank to the West of the access road as would arise if a heavy supporting structure for the 12-bay section was to be erected on the bank. If stability issues arise, this would represent serious liability for the Council.

• Neighbours have expressed concerns about overlooking and car headlamp nuisance that would arise from use of the 12-bay section.

• Building the 12 bay section would require an unattractive and prominent gabion wall to be constructed along the steep bank at the entrance to the town.

• The provision, in the Developer’s layout proposal, of level disabled parking spaces close to the Chipping Surgery is a major benefit.

Stripe Consulting have advised that the existing, approved, car park plan would only deliver 73 (not 80) useable parking bays of standard size. This means that the proposed layout, which would provide 68 bays, represents a net loss of only 5 (not 12) parking spaces – and would avoid the above concerns. Our support for this application is on the understanding that the car park will be completed without delay and the Schedule of Works negotiated between SDC and the Developer is completed before the Town Council is offered the car park in accordance with the Section 106 Agreement. Stripe Consulting will be assisting with this activity. We would like the completion of the Schedule of Works to be Planning Condition. We have also provided some comments on the proposed layout which have been addressed in the very latest layout drawing (Revision F, added on 1st December). We would like these changes to be implemented by the Developer to improve the useability of some of the parking bays. I would like to thank the Developer for his recent positive engagement and commitment to the completion of this important facility. Thanks also go to our local District Councillors and to SDC’s Chief Executive, for their efforts to bring this difficult project to a satisfactory and speedy conclusion. I hope you will permit this application.

To Note: The DCC approved the planning application subject to the inclusion of measures to facilitate completion of the car park as soon as possible next year. At the meeting, the Developer’s Agent indicated that work would start in March 2026 and be completed before the end of July. Now that the layout has been confirmed the Town Council will need to firm up the car park lighting plan.

P.6673. Symn Lane Car Park Development (December 2025)

An update had been given in the Chairman’s report following the Stroud District Development Control Committee meeting. The Clerk gave further updates on progress. Stripe Consulting has contacted the developer with a view to for the developer to be back onsite in at the beginning of April 2026 to make the necessary adjustments and finish by July 2026. Gloucestershire Highways and Lighting Team have agreed to give advice on lighting free of charge and will consider the adoption of the road in due course.

T.7649 Public Forum (December 2025)

District Cllr G Kitchen made the following comments: It's regarding the Symn Lane Car Park DCC meeting earlier this month at Ebley Mill. A Wotton Town Council representative directed me not to speak against the planning variation S.23/2101/VAR. I chose to disregard that request. As an elected representative, I have a duty to voice the concerns of my constituents. Being told that I should have remained silent runs counter to the fundamental principles of open council debate and undermines the transparency that residents expect. Freedom of expression ensures that a range of perspectives is represented at council. I am deeply disappointed that the situation occurred. Raising the issue publicly here at Full Council, is my response.

T.7679 Symn Lane Car Park (January 2026)

The car park construction and the developer are to meet. The Town Clerk and Cllrs P Smith and R Claydon have met with Gloucestershire County Council Lighting Engineers to discuss lighting plans and cable installations. Discussions are ongoing.

T.7729 EV Chargers (March 2026)

Cllr D Thomas asked the Council to pursue the installation of ev-chargers in the new Symn Lane car park if the Town Council accepts handover. It was RESOLVED to ask Gloucestershire County Council on including the car park into their ev-charger programme.

T.7731 Projects (March 2026)

The Town Council’s consultant, Stripe Consulting, has had the first meeting with the developer and his Project Manager raising queries to be resolved. Cllr M Tucker to attend a meeting with the Town Clerk, Gloucestershire County Council Lighting Manager and contractor W&N Adams.

T.7752 Projects (March 2026)

Cllr M Tucker and the Town Clerk had met with Redhand, CCTV contractor, and the Town Clerk had had discussions with GCC Lighting to discuss the electrical infrastructure of the car park and the requirements for lighting and CCTV. A lighting plan had been produced and there were investigations being carried out with the National Grid. An extra lighting column for the disabled area needed to be purchased, and Stroud District Council Planning sign off required. Regular meetings are being held with Stripe Consulting on the progress of the satisfactory completion of the car park by the developer

T.7760 Symn Lane Car Park (April 2026)

It was RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Town Clerk with Cllr M Tucker to purchase the extra lighting column

T.7783 Projects (May 2026)

The schedule of works tracking document for the Symn Lane Car Park was reviewed. It was noted that the developer had been asked for evidence on electrical infrastructure, CBR testing of the construction, drawings and plans on drainage. The landscaping and ecology to be confirmed.