PROPOSALS for a major redevelopment of Sharpness Docks have received the general support of residents although concerns remain about access to the site.

The Canal and River Trust (CRT) held its final consultation event on Tuesday before a formal planning application to build 300-homes as well as industrial space and tourism provision is submitted.

Initially expected at the end of 2015, delays to environmental impact assessments has pushed back the submission of an application which is now expected in the next few months.

Two new marinas would be built as part of the CRT’s tourism plans for the island part of the site which would also see eco-lodges and ‘pleasure grounds’ developed.

The modified plans were well-received at the consultation on Tuesday however concerns remain about plans for access to the site to be via the already crowded Oldminster Road.

District councillor Gordon Craig said that he hoped the developer ‘would see sense’ and consider using Bridge Road for access.

“I think they’ve been burying their heads in the sand a little bit regarding the level of objection to using Oldminster Road,” he told the Gazette.

“I had a long conversation with them about this at the consultation event and I’m hopeful they will see sense and use Bridge Road.

“Oldminster is a very old-fashioned community road – in a good way – and I think the current plan would destroy this.

“It’s a cracking development otherwise and presses all of the right buttons and of course it still is early days.”

Cllr Craig has also requested reassurances that measures will be put in place to properly manage the tourism so that it grows as much as possible.

Sharpness Docks is one of five ‘strategic sites’ identified in Stroud District Council’s Local Plan which aims to create a ‘new heritage and leisure-led sustainable tourism destination’ there.

It is hoped that redevelopment of the site could create as many as 500 jobs for the area.