Proposed Eco Park could be worth almost £300million to Gloucestershire economy every year

The study, commissioned by the Stroud-based green energy company, found that the proposed development at junction 13 of the M5 motorway would provide £288.6m to the local economy – if it operates at its full potential.

The research, carried out by specialist economic development consultancy Regeneris, used Office of National Statistics data to measure the benefit of the new jobs created.

The proposal aims to create and bring nearly 4,000 professional, scientific and technical jobs and a further 300 jobs at its Sports Complex, which includes the sports science unit and an Ecotricity expansion office.

The 100-acre development near Eastington, which would include space for a new 5000-seater stadium, will cost around £100m to build.

Dale Vince, Ecotricity founder and Forest Green Rovers owner, said: “I was surprised by this report – of course we felt that Eco Park was going to be a big boost to the local economy, but we had no idea it would be this big.

“£300million a year is a big number – for context that’s a two per cent growth in Gloucestershire’s economy from just this one project – and it will give the area a significant stake in Britain’s fast-growing green economy.

“Eco Park has had a fantastic response so far, and it has really come a long way since July when we announced the concept.

“Next, we’re looking forward to announcing the winner of the stadium design competition in September, and then hoping for outline planning consent a couple of months later.”

Regeneris’ research follows another commissioned study by leading property consultants, Alder King, which found Eco Park would generate around £2.7million worth of business rates annually – an amount that would almost plug the entire £3million funding gap forecast for 2020 by Stroud District Council.

Additional plans for Eco Park include the potential development of a public transport hub, including a Stroud Park and Ride.

Stroud District Council is currently considering Eco Park for outline planning approval.

But the plans are quickly emerging as one of the most contentious issues in Stroud in the last few years.

Critics argue the development will bring an unsustainable amount of traffic to the area, overwhelming the infrastructure and destroying the rural communities of Eastington and the nearby hamlets.

But Eastington resident Alex Bomberg says Eco Park is not about being ‘green’ or providing facilities for the community. He says it’s about two things: football and making money.

“Let’s be 100 per cent clear, this business park will not be about job creation –- we are talking about established firms moving to this location,” he said.

“Plus, Ecotricity cannot guarantee it will be occupied by green businesses.

“It is just another trading estate. Built unlike others, it’s being built on valuable greenfield land.

“There simply isn’t any requirement for this. The area doesn’t need a football stadium, it doesn’t need sporting facilities and it doesn’t need more jobs.

“Stroud district does not have a job problem, it has a skills problem. Unemployment is very low. And if you created 4,000 jobs then we would need to build more and more homes.

“When you drill down and start to ask questions about this proposal you see it’s completely unnecessary. This is about Mr Vince and his company making money, not the people of Gloucestershire."

Mr Bomberg also said the development would “change the face” of Eastington forever with the influx of people, traffic and crime.

Alongside plans for the ‘new town’ West of Stonehouse, the plans would mark a major stage of new development for the Eastington area.