Ambitious plans on run-down site (From Stroud News and Journal)

Ambitious plans on run-down site

WITH the conversion of Hill Paul well underway developers Chelbury Homes are turning their attentions to the rest of the Cheapside site.

Ambitious plans set to transform the run down corner of Stroud are currently being considered by Stroud District Council and, providing permission is granted, building could start as soon as the beginning of next year.

The suggested scheme includes two large apartment blocks, each only slightly smaller than Hill Paul, a 50-room hotel complex and 30 canalside apartments.

It would also see a stretch of the canal restored from Bowbridge Lock through to the Dr Newton's Way overpass.

The apartments blocks have been sympathetically designed to complement the Hill Paul building.

"The colours of the materials will match and the penthouses on the apartment blocks are going to be very similar to those of Hill Paul," said Chelbury boss Julian Magee.

"But the new buildings are not intended to be a pastiche of the old and have balconies galore and the apartments have an entrance that gives you a 'wow factor'.

"Hill Paul is intended to be the shining light with these two subservient."

Despite the fact the plans have already been forward there is a question mark over the hotel proposal as Mr Magee acknowledged it may not be financially viable.

The added cost of providing parking spaces made it hard for a large town centre hotel to stack up, he said.

"The jury is still out on whether or not it would work," he said.

"The position would be ideal for some sort of leisure facility but not necessarily a hotel."

The development puts a lot of faith in the canal restoration going ahead but Mr Magee said he was convinced the plans to open up the waterway would bear fruit.

"I'm convinced it's going to work," he said.

"It's going to take a little bit longer than everybody expected but I'm sure it will go ahead.

"I have spoken to British Waterways about it and they believe that digging out this section will be a kick start for Stroud and give people an idea of what the town will be like once the canal is open again."

* For more details see next week's SNJ.