Key part of Gloucester’s King’s Quarter development given the go ahead

More than 40 new apartments, roof-top gardens, business premises and retail units can be built in the middle of Gloucester, making possible a key part of the multi-million King’s Quarter redevelopment of city.

By Andrew Merrell | Published Wednesday 24 March 2021

An artist's impression of the new buildings now given permission to be built along Market Parade in Gloucester as part of The Forum development.

An artist's impression of the new buildings now given permission to be built along Market Parade in Gloucester as part of The Forum development. This view looks up towards The Chambers public house on the right hand side of the street.

An artist's sketch from above of the new buildings off Market Parade, with the lowered centre roof line allowing for views of the Cathedral - and roof gardens.

An artist's sketch of the new buildings given permission to be built along Market Parade in Gloucester as part of The Forum development. This view looks up towards The Chambers public house on the right hand side of the street.

An artist's sketch of the new buildings off Market Parade, with the lowered centre roof line allowing for views of the Cathedral - and roof gardens.

An artist's impression that Cathedral view, from on top of the Market Parade buildings.

A photograph featuring a computer-generated image of The Forum in situ.

An artist's impression of the view from the corner of the bus station across and through to the city's Cathedral, showing off The Forum centre piece buildings in all their glory.

Another major piece of the jigsaw in the multi-million pound redevelopment of King’s Quarter in the middle of Gloucester is free to move into place.

Plans to demolish a parade of shops, including the former Gourmet Oriental restaurant, on land behind The Chambers pub, opposite the bus station off Market Parade, have been approved.

The site will be cleared completely to make way for 43 apartments built above business and retail premises, as laid out in plans delivered for Gloucester City Council by developer Reef Group.

Artist’s impressions show the ambitious scheme in all its glory, including how it opens up a potentially stunning vista of the cathedral and space for roof-top gardens.

‘This application represents an important first step in the delivery of the wider King’s Quarter in Gloucester – a major priority within the council’s stated regeneration objectives.

‘It will create a high-quality message that the delivery of this vital city centre revitalisation is happening and is being designed with a long-term legacy in mind,’ according to Reef Group, which is responsible for the whole development, including King’s Square.

The Forum scheme has the full backing of the city council – not just because it is the driving force making the long-awaited project, but because in January its cabinet also approved the £107 million budget to make it all happen.

City construction firm EG Carter is already at work on King’s Square and progressing at pace.

The Forum will provide in excess of 2 acres of high quality, new public realm and open space, at ground level and roof level.

#lovewhereyouwork#lovewhereyoulive#lovewhereyoustay #wellness#green#openspace#gloucester#theforum #design#architecture#coworking#gym#jointhenewreality pic.twitter.com/tTa3v0j8Tq
— The Forum Digital (@TheForumDigital) March 11, 2021

Plans just approved are for 13 one-bedroom, 23 two-bedroom and two three-bedroomed apartments, plus roof-top gardens.

All of which comes hot on the heels of the stunning and recent revelations that the former Debenhams building, which forms one side of “King’s Square (the centre piece of the development) will become part of the University of Gloucestershire.

By Andrew Merrell

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