The Planning Committee of Gloucestershire Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to consider four applications related to the Shurdington Road Sand Pit site. All four applications sought to extend the temporary permission for various aspects of the waste recycling operation until October 2046. The committee unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for all four applications, subject to revised conditions.

Shurdington Road Sand Pit Applications

The committee considered four applications (25/0052/TWS73W, 25/0053/TWS73W, 25/0054/TWS73W, and 25/0055/TWS73W) to extend the operational period of different parts of the Elliotts (Cheltenham) Ltd waste recycling facility at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham, until October 2046. These applications were all variations of existing temporary permissions, with no proposed changes to the operational processes, throughput, vehicle movements, or working hours.

The site is located within the Cheltenham and Gloucester Green Belt, and officers advised that it fell within the definition of Grey Belt land under national planning policy. The committee was informed that the applications satisfied the requirements of Policy GB7 of the National Planning Policy Framework, meaning the development was not considered inappropriate in the Green Belt.

Key considerations for the committee included the continued contribution of the facility to inert waste recycling and the production of secondary aggregates, the operational integration of the various components of the site, and the absence of any increase in traffic or environmental impacts. The committee also noted the proximity of the site to the Cotswold National Landscape and the presence of public rights of way.

Concerns were raised by Badgeworth Parish Council regarding the appropriateness of extending temporary permissions within the Green Belt and the potential impact on residential amenity. However, the committee heard from supporting representations from Elliotts (Cheltenham) Ltd and Deer Park Archers, highlighting the business's long-standing operation, investment in the site, employment provision, and positive relationship with neighbouring organisations.

The committee was also informed about a recently granted planning permission for 126 new dwellings to the north of the wider waste facility. Officers explained that this residential development had been considered by Tewkesbury Borough Council in light of the existing waste operation, and that mitigation measures were included within that permission.

Following detailed discussion and consideration of the officer's recommendations, the committee unanimously resolved to grant planning permission for all four applications, subject to revised conditions aimed at improving clarity, consistency, and monitoring. These conditions included updated requirements for landscaping, dust management, restoration, and the continuation of existing operational controls.

The four applications were:

• Application 25/0052/TWS73W: To extend the period for the continued operation of the aggregate washing plant until 19 October 2046.
• Application 25/0053/TWS73W: To extend the period for the continued operation of the temporary extension to the recycling facility until 19 October 2046.
• Application 25/0054/TWS73W: To extend the period for the continued operation of the temporary waste transfer station until 19 October 2046.
• Application 25/0055/TWS73W: To extend the period for the continued retention and operation of the picking station until 19 October 2046.

The meeting concluded at 12:23 pm.