Residents react after Ecotricity unveils plans for old tax offices in Stroud

The paper's Facebook page has been besieged by comments after the plans were made public yesterday morning.

There was plenty of support for the development, with many welcoming the modern look the new structure will bring.

One reader said: “That old tax office has always been an eyesore it will be nice to have a nicer building there.”

Another said: “Absolutely stunning. A great asset to Stroud.”

The current view of the old tax offices

However, there were a number of people who were distinctly unimpressed by the building, designed by Glen Howells Architects, believing it will not fit in with the rest of Stroud.

One reader commented: “I don't see a giant biscuit tin being in keeping with the surrounding area.”

Another added: “Dreadful looking monstrosity, it would not fit in with the many old stone buildings in the rest of Stroud, I'm very much against it.

“But Ecotricity controls Stroud District Council -- so this monstrosity or anything else proposed by that company will no doubt get rubber stamping regardless of public opinion.”

Named, New Axiom House, the new building will work alongside Ecotricity’s current flagship office across the road, Lion House.

Founder of Ecotricity, Dale Vince, said the new renovation will create an extra 300 jobs for the Stroud area.

Ecotricity believes the project is one piece of a much bigger renovation of the Wallbridge area and are talking to Stroud District Council about making it a truly pedestrianised plaza, a place to meet and socialise, a fantastic stopping point along the canal.

This includes talks with the county council about a pedestrian crossing between Lion House and the old tax office.

Ecotricity have also put forward two new designs for Imperial House, near the train station, after their original design was met with mostly negative reviews.

Tim Mars of the Civic Society said: "The louvred design is a non-starter—it looks like a plant room."

"The other design is promising but needs more work.

"I like the fact that it has a family resemblance to the proposals for the tax office, with the vertical fins echoing the colonnade on that building.

"The fins (combined sunbreaks and algae solar panels) should be wider, angled away from the façade to give it depth and articulation, there should be more of them set much closer to echo the tall, extremely narrow windows of Holloway House next door."

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The two new designs for Imperial House