PLANS which would see over 100 homes built at a Stroud industrial site have been welcomed by town leaders due to the shortage of housing in the area. 

Newland Homes has officially purchased the site at Daniels Industrial Estate and is poised to start demolition and groundworks this year.

Last year, Stroud District Council gave the green light to Newland Homes' plans to transform the brownfield land between Bath Road and Dudbridge Road into 111 low and zero carbon homes, encompassing 88 two and three bedroom terraced, semi-detached and detached homes and 23 one and two bed apartments.

Newland Homes say that the low and zero carbon homes will be equipped with the latest renewable technology for heat and power, that air source heat pumps will heat the houses and that properties will benefit from a significant array of high-performance solar panels to generate electricity.

Town leaders - who argue that there is a shortage of housing in the area - have welcomed this update.  

Chair of Stroud Chamber of Trade Tony Davey said: "Those involved in work relating to the needs of the district know only too well how important sufficient housing provision is.

"We need there to be places for those who wish to stay in the area, especially young families.

"Now the site is being cleared, I hope that the building commences swiftly also, so the housing is delivered in a timely manner.

"I also hope that the planned road adjustments to facilitate the additional traffic that will inevitably be generated prove to be sufficient."

Mayor Stella Parkes said: “There is a shortage of appropriate housing for families in Stroud district.

"This development - which is designed to have a zero carbon impact - is good news for the environment and we would welcome more affordable housing for families.”

Catherine Braun, Green Party councillor and Stroud District Council leader, said: “I welcome this development, which will provide valued new homes for people in Stroud.

"I’m pleased that the developer will be using low-carbon technologies, including air source heat pumps and solar panels, to minimise the impact of the buildings on our climate and to make the new homes more comfortable and cheaper to heat.” 

Dr Simon Opher, Labour candidate for the Stroud constituency, said: "It’s fantastic news for Stroud that this housing development is finally beginning.

"What makes me particularly pleased is this is on a brownfield site, close to the town centre with services and schools close by so that it will integrate well with the rest of Stroud."

Andrew Billings, land director at Newland Homes, said: "Redevelopment has been a long time coming, and we're eager to start regenerating the site to create a desirable collection of design-led, sustainable homes."

Daniels Industrial Estate was first identified for redevelopment in 2018 and the previous owners, Industrial Sales Limited, worked with the few remaining tenants of the leased buildings to help facilitate their relocation. 

The Fern House Offices, Gate House and the B&Q store will be retained on site, with their associated employment.

The existing site entrance from Dudbridge Road will remain and a second entrance point for cars will be created on Bath Road.