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Construction of Stroud District Council's new affordable housing development at Glebelands in Cam has reached a significant milestone, with the first roofs now installed as the 23-home scheme continues to take shape.

The development forms part of the council's long running programme to increase the supply of high-quality affordable housing for local people across the district. Built on the site of a former independent living site, Glebelands will provide 23 new homes, including properties for affordable rent and shared ownership.

The scheme comprises eight one-bedroom flats, 10 two-bedroom houses and five three-bedroom houses. Four of the flats have been specifically designed for older residents. Homes are being designed with accessibility and flexibility in mind, making them easier to use and adapt as residents' needs change over time.

A major milestone was achieved this summer with the installation of the first roofs on the apartment buildings. Work is continuing at pace, with a third roof currently being completed as the development becomes increasingly visible on site.

Caroline Dumas, Stroud District Council’s Strategic Director of Resources, said:

"It's great to see Glebelands reaching this important stage, with the first roofs now in place and the development really starting to take shape.

"There is a significant shortage of affordable housing across the district, with thousands of people on our housing register, so every new home we deliver makes a difference. These 23 homes will provide high-quality, energy-efficient accommodation for local people and will help more residents access a secure and affordable home.

"The scheme also demonstrates our commitment to sustainability. By incorporating energy efficient features and high levels of insulation, these homes will be more affordable to run while supporting our ambition to reduce carbon emissions across the district."

Once complete, the homes will include a range of energy-efficient measures designed to help residents reduce household energy use and running costs. These include air source heat pumps, solar photovoltaic panels and Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems in some units.

The development is being delivered on behalf of the council by contractor Speller Metcalfe and is expected to be completed next summer.

Mark Eaton, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said:

"We're pleased to see Glebelands reach this important milestone, with the first roofs now installed and the development taking shape. As a regional contractor with a long history of delivering high-quality homes across the Midlands and South West, we're proud to be working alongside Stroud District Council to provide energy-efficient homes that will make a lasting difference for local people."

Glebelands forms part of the council's wider affordable housing programme, which is delivering new homes across several sites in the district.

Construction is also progressing at Queens Drive in Cashes Green, where seven affordable homes are nearing completion.

The council has recently completed two further affordable housing schemes on former council-owned sites: eight affordable rent homes at Gloucester Street and Bradley Street in Wotton-under-Edge and thirteen social rent homes at Cambridge Avenue in Dursley.

Together, these developments are helping to increase the supply of affordable homes for local people while making best use of previously developed brownfield land and supporting the council's commitment to creating sustainable communities across the district.

This week we're celebrating community spirit, supporting local causes and sharing some of the work taking place across the district.

Congratulations to everyone who walked or ran in Sunday's Five Valleys Walk for Meningitis Now. The event is a fantastic way to enjoy our beautiful district while raising funds for a vital cause. With World Meningitis Day taking place on 5 October, now is a good opportunity to familiarise yourself with the signs and symptoms of meningitis. Find out more on the Meningitis Now website.

Wednesday 30 September marks the final day of the extended Stratford Park Lido season. When it closes, our focus will turn to a programme of detailed surveys and investigations to better understand the condition of this historic facility. The information gathered over the winter will help inform future planning, maintenance and community discussions, while preparing for a full season of operation when the lido is scheduled to reopen in May 2027.

Close by in Stratford Park, students from SGS College have given the skatepark a fresh new look as part of a project supported by our communities team. It's one of many ways we work with the college to support young people, celebrate local talent and strengthen community connections.

Thank you to everyone who attended our grant clinic last week. The session helped community groups understand council funding opportunities available and offered advice on preparing strong applications. Don't forget that local good causes can also raise money through our community lottery, receiving 50p from every £1 ticket sold by their supporters. Find out more on the Lucky Severn Lotter website.  

Finally, don't forget to sign up for SDC email updates. You can choose the topics that interest you and receive the latest council news, events and service information direct to your inbox at www.stroud.gov.uk/emailalerts.

Visitors are invited to explore the creative possibilities of deconstruction, transformation and rediscovery in a major new textile exhibition at the Museum in the Park this autumn.

UNmaking, an exhibition by the Textile Study Group (TSG), runs until Sunday 8 November 2026 and marks the group's first collective exhibition in Stroud since 2017.

The exhibition explores the idea of "unmaking" as a creative process. Rather than simply taking something apart, the artists use unravelling, cutting, undoing and reworking as a way of discovering new possibilities. Through a diverse range of contemporary textile works, visitors are invited to consider whether something in the process of change can be viewed as complete, and how ideas of making and unmaking shape our understanding of art.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can enjoy a varied programme of workshops by internationally renowned tutors and free-of-charge Meet the Maker sessions, offering opportunities to learn new skills, gain insights into contemporary textile practice and meet some of the artists behind the work.

Kevin Ward, Museum in the Park Development Manager said:

"UNmaking offers visitors a fascinating opportunity to experience contemporary textile art in a fresh and thought-provoking way. The exhibition challenges us to look differently at creativity, while the accompanying programme of workshops and Meet the Maker events gives people the chance to learn new skills and engage directly with leading textile artists. We're delighted to welcome the Textile Study Group back to Stroud for their first collective exhibition here in almost a decade."

The exhibition is free to enter and runs until Sunday 8 November 2026.

For more information, workshop booking details and opening times, visit the Museum in the Park website: UNmaking - Textile Study Group Exhibition & Workshops — Museum in the Park

The Museum in the Park is managed by Stroud District Council in collaboration with the Stroud District (Cowle) Museum Trust. It is home to a rich local history collection, a magical walled garden, and a dedicated contemporary exhibition space.

The Museum also offers a free-to-join membership, giving members updates on exhibitions and events, plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content. Find out more at www.museuminthepark.org.uk/membership