Plot will sell for housing (From Stroud News and Journal)

Plot will sell for housing

STROUD District Council's former depot at Dudbridge is up for sale and is expected to be sold for housing for "a substantial six figure sum."

The council originally bought the 0.69 hectare (1.7 acre) site for use by its Direct Services Organisation as a base for refuse collection, street cleaning, grounds maintenance and housing repair operations.

As more services were put out to contract its use declined and in recent years the depot has been used as a temporary base for the council's refuse collection contractors. Serviceteam finally vacated the site last month but before the site could be put on the market various investigations had to be completed.

These included extensive geotechnical surveys, since the site was once a brickworks. Topographical surveys, service enquiries and highway assessments were also carried out.

"The sale of this site meets two important objectives," said Cllr Stephen Glanfield, the council's cabinet member for resources.

"It means that much needed new housing will be built on a brownfield site and the proceeds can be channelled in to some of the exciting projects which we have in the pipeline.

"This is one of the last pieces of land owned by the council which is likely to be suitable for housing development."

The sale will be handled by agents GVA Grimley of Bristol and the council says it expects realise a substantial six-figure sum.