The original estate gate house lodge at the former Standish Hospital site near Stroud could become a community café and workspace under new plans submitted by the developer, PJ Livesey.

An application has been made for the building on Horsemarling Lane to have flexible use rather than residential permission as per the previous planning permission.

The new plans follow continued consultation on how best to secure the future of the site, which boasts six heritage buildings, including a Grade II listed manor house and has been shuttered for more than a decade.

PJ Livesey director James Woodmansee, said: “The scheme has evolved over the summer as we seek the most sensitive way to bring sustainable use back to this important heritage site.

“The new plans would give flexible use for the gate house lodge with potential for it to become a community asset such as a café or workspace.

“We are hoping a decision can be made by Stroud District Council early in the New Year with work beginning in spring 2018.”

The main Standish Hospital closed in 2004 and PJ Livesey, appointed preferred developer by the Homes and Communities Agency that currently owns the site.  The adjacent adult care facility, owned by 2gether NHS Foundation Trust, will be incorporated into the scheme as part of a comprehensive redevelopment.

If approved the plans would see the conversion of the Grade II listed Standish House and its neighbouring stable block together with two Art Deco style ward buildings.

They would also save the site’s distinctive hydrotherapy pool building, which was previously considered for demolition, sensitively converting it into two distinctive houses.