Regeneration benefits

One of the main aims of the project is to bring benefit to local communities. Because this is a core objective of the project, it offers a unique regeneration opportunity and is a material consideration weighing in favour of the application.
It is anticipated that the following commitments will be tied into either a Section 106 Agreement with the Local Planning Authority or will form part of the legal partnership agreement.

Financial support for local communities

As part of the partnership agreement, the project anticipates the distribution of £10million over 20 years to support voluntary and community organisations in Gloucestershire, with at least 90% being invested in the target area - the rural wards of stonehouse (and its GL10 hinterland), Upton St Leonards and the urban wards of Matson, Robinswood, Podsmead and Tufley. A rolling 5 year Community Impact plan will be formulated in order to

• identify the needs and priorities in the target area
• form the framework for community and charitable engagement within the business for both staff and customers
• inform the distribution of income by Gloucestershire Gateway Trust

Gloucestershire Gateway Trust will provide staff time to support further fundraising, organising and community planning.

Job creation and prioritisation of areas of employment need

300 permanent new jobs will be created when the project opens for business. There will be support for an estimated further 200 jobs as a result of the construction process and by contracting with local food and craft producers. Priority will be given to applicants in the target area who will be guaranteed job interviews. The project will provide a staff minibus from key target areas to work. Community based education and training will be provided in target communities in order to become 'job ready'; a Gloucestershire Gateway Services Employment and Training Partnership has already been set up which includes Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, Gloucester Works, Job Centre Plus and GL communities.
A minimum of 24 work placements and work trials per annum will be provided within the business, targeting 'hard to reach' groups such as residents with disabilities or recovering from mental illness. Local partnerships will be set up to deliver particular projects, for instance with local schools to help deliver business skills within their curriculum.

Support for local and regional producers

The project will source specific products in the cafes, including meat, dairy products, eggs and bakerys products, locally (at least 50%) and regionally (at least 20%). In the shops, products will be purchases from at least 40 local and 20 regional businesses.

Promotion of toursim

The project will seek to encourage tourism development in the area by providing a tourism information point within the MSA. This will draw the attention of the traveller to the tourism offer in Gloucestershire and the South West.

The planning application for Gloucestershire Gateway Services was submitted on Friday 18 December 2009 to Stroud District Council. Details of the submitted application can be found by clicking the following link which takes you to the Local Planning Authority's website.