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A new online ‘zine’ launched by Stroud District Council is helping to make climate and nature issues more accessible, engaging and relevant to people across the district.

Nature Knows uses art and storytelling to explore some of the biggest environmental challenges facing local communities, from climate change and biodiversity loss to flooding and extreme weather.

Rather than presenting information through reports and technical documents, the online zine uses a cast of local wildlife characters to explain the challenges facing the district and the opportunities to create a greener, more resilient future.

The story is inspired by the council's Climate and Nature Strategy and helps bring its themes to life in a format that's easy to explore and enjoy.

The council commissioned local artist Joe Magee and writer Fiona McClymont to create a distinctive series of illustrations for the zine. Their artwork is rooted in the Stroud district, featuring recognisable landscapes, wildlife and local characters, helping readers connect climate and nature issues with places they know and care about.

The zine sits alongside the council's Climate and Nature Strategy, which sets out ambitions to reduce carbon emissions, restore nature and help communities adapt to the impacts of a changing climate. The strategy aims to create a future where homes, workplaces and schools are comfortable and energy efficient, wildlife is thriving, and communities are better protected from flooding, drought and extreme weather.

Councillor Martin Pearcy, Chair of the Environment Committee at Stroud District Council, said:

"The climate and nature challenges we face can sometimes feel distant or overwhelming, but their impacts can be seen in the places we live, work and enjoy every day. This zine helps tell that story through familiar landscapes, local wildlife and wonderful artwork created by local artists.

"We hope it inspires people to explore these issues further, discover what's already happening across the district and see how small actions can collectively make a real difference for nature, climate and future generations."

Chris Uttley, Climate, Economy and Flood Risk Manager at Stroud District Council, added:

"Climate change and nature loss affect everyone, but they're not always easy topics to communicate. We wanted to create something people would genuinely enjoy reading, helping them discover more about the wildlife, landscapes and environmental challenges that affect the places they know."

The zine was developed as part of the council's ongoing commitment to climate and nature and to finding new ways to communicate complex issues, making information accessible to as many people as possible.

You can read it online and explore the full Climate and Nature Strategy on the council's website.

Read Nature Knows. 

Read the full Climate and Nature strategy.

Schools, colleges and other education providers request free Nature Knows posters to display in classrooms and libraries. The posters encourage students to download the zine and explore climate change, nature recovery and the wildlife found in their own communities across the Stroud district. Email climate@stroud.gov.uk

Stroud District Council has completed the delivery of seven new affordable homes for social rent at Queens Drive in Cashes Green, transforming a brownfield location into high-quality, energy-efficient housing.

The site, formerly a play area and garage site that had been closed and unused for several years, has been brought back into use to provide two one-bedroom flats, three two-bedroom houses and two three-bedroom houses, helping to meet the growing demand for affordable rental homes in the district while making effective use of previously developed land.

Built by Speller Metcalfe and designed by Trower Davies and Quattro Design Architects, the scheme has transformed an unused area into a modern residential development that supports the council's commitment to providing sustainable homes.

The new homes are energy efficient, and all have an Energy Performance Certificate A rating. They have high levels of insulation, which, combined with air source heat pumps, solar PV panels and electric vehicle charging points will help residents reduce their energy use and costs.

All homes, apart from the upper floor flat, have been designed to be easy to modify if residents’ needs change in the future. Features include step-free access, level thresholds, wider doorways and adaptable layouts. The two three-bedroom houses also include the potential for a ground floor wet room to be added if needed.

The development features a range of biodiversity enhancements. These include a hedgehog house and hedgehog highways, an insect hotel, reptile hibernaculum, swift boxes, swallow and house martin nesting features, and bat boxes.

Construction began in January 2026 and was completed in October 2026. The work was carried out by Speller Metcalfe, and the site was registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which promotes high standards across the construction industry.

Cllr Gary Luff, Chair of Stroud District Council's Housing Committee, said:

"These new homes demonstrate how brownfield land can be transformed into high-quality affordable housing that meets local needs while protecting our countryside.

"The site had stood unused for several years, and we’ve pleased to have brought it back into productive use to provide much-needed affordable homes. Every new affordable home makes a difference at a time when demand for housing continues to outstrip supply. 

"We are particularly pleased that the scheme combines affordable housing with strong environmental credentials, helping residents to reduce their energy bills while supporting biodiversity through a range of wildlife features across the site."

Queens Drive is the third affordable housing scheme completed by Speller Metcalfe for Stroud District Council during 2026, following successful developments at Cambridge Avenue and Gloucester Street/Bradley Street. Work is continuing at Glebelands in Cam, where a further 23 affordable homes are due to be completed in 2027.

Mark Eaton, Divisional Director at Speller Metcalfe, said:

"We're delighted to have successfully completed the seven new homes at Queens Drive for Stroud District Council. Bringing brownfield sites back into productive use and delivering high-quality, sustainable homes is something we take great pride in, and we're pleased to have supported the council in creating much-needed housing for the local community.

"We thank Stroud District Council for the opportunity to deliver another successful scheme and hope the new residents will enjoy their homes for many years to come."

To enable delivery of the scheme, Stroud District Council secured £118,993 from HM Government through the Brownfield Land Release Fund 2. This supported upfront works helping to bring the site back into use for housing. This is one of a pipeline of projects being delivered with this funding that will deliver nearly 50 new council homes across the area.

“Unlocking council land and delivering new homes is crucial across the country. What makes this development so special is that it will provide 100% affordable homes to help meet local demand,” said Paul Britton, South West Lead at One Public Estate. 

The new homes have been advertised through HomeseekerPlus, the council’s choice-based lettings scheme. 

The development supports several objectives within the council's Strategy for New Council Homes and Council Plan, including delivering more affordable homes, regenerating brownfield sites, improving energy efficiency and supporting sustainable communities.

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