Report finds that as many as 11,500 new homes could be needed in the Stroud district by 2031 (From Stroud News and Journal)

Report finds that as many as 11,500 new homes could be needed in the Stroud district by 2031

9:49am Wednesday 5th September 2012 in News By Chris Warne, SNJ reporter for Stonehouse and Chalford. Twitter @ChrisWarneSNJ

AN INDEPENDENT report has concluded that between 9,260 and 11,500 new houses will have to be built in the Stroud district over the next 19 years.

In its Local Plan, Stroud District Council originally envisaged having to find space for another 9,350 new homes by 2026.

However, SDC’s executive is now recommending that the council adopt the findings of Dr Keith Woodhead’s report and plan to build a minimum of 9,260 extra dwellings by 2031, with provision being made to supply a further 2,240 if required.

The figures have been sharply criticised by campaign group Don’t Strangle Stroud (DSS), which is opposing plans to build 1,500 homes west of Stonehouse in Nupend and Nastend.

DSS believe that mistakes have been made in calculating the final numbers and that the report significantly overestimates the number of houses needed in the district.

For more on this story see next week’s paper.