Stroud District Council will soon (9 February) be considering a planning application for a motorway service area (MSA) near Matson. Several members of St Katharine's ministry team have been actively supporting these plans and here are some of the reasons:-1. At least 300 new jobs with training many of which will go to people from Matson
2. A new cafe in Matson offering work and training
3. Cycle-paths to ease congestion and encourage more people out of their cars
4. The majority of the service area will be transformed from pasture land to a wildlife corridor improving the health and beauty of our natural environment
5. Food served at the MSA will be from local producers where possible which means even more jobs and a healthier local economy
6. Because Gloucestershire Gateway is by and for local people it will raise money for local grass-roots projects not for corporate profits (as in previous MSA proposals).
There is some opposition to the plans on the grounds of aesthetics and environmental concerns but these concerns relate to the previous plans for an MSA on the site which were rightly rejected.
It is likely that opposition will come from Brookthorpe where a meeting opposing the plans has been held. Brookthorpe opposition is generally more literate and middle class than Matson and there is a danger that their letter writing will not reflect public feeling since most of those who support the proposal are unlikely to be good letter writers. All the more reason why those of us who do support the project - because it's good for the people of Matson - and are good at writing letters do so.
If a minority of people who don't need to apply for these 300 jobs but are articulate writers spoil it for those who both see the environmental and economic benefits of the project a great injustice would be done.
- To see the planning application click here. Half way down the page you will see a button "submit a comment".
- To see the gateway website click here.
If you want to talk to someone from Gloucestershire Gateway Services the contact
