Developer partner sought for exciting new waterside community
Published: Tuesday, 9 March, 2021
A developer with the vision to take on the challenge of transforming a former industrial site in to a new waterside community is now being sought by Stroud District Council.
Stroud District Council has approved the procurement of a development partner to redevelop Brimscombe Port, creating opportunities for employment and business, commercial activity, retail, community and leisure uses, public space, and the reinstatement of the canal basin which would include more than 150 new homes.
Strategy and Resources Committee approved the move on Thursday, March 4, and Leader Doina Cornell said it was another significant step towards breathing new life in to the former industrial site which was once a thriving inland canal port more than 200 years ago but has become run down over the past several decades.
“This is an exciting opportunity to redevelop a brownfield site and build a community within a community,” said Councillor Cornell.
“The existing buildings are at the end of their life, and developing the site will bring a significant number of homes to a district which desperately needs them.”
The Council has already committed £1.16million to make the site ready for a developer, and last month delegated authority to grant permission for a canal basin and highways infrastructure was approved by the Development Control Committee.
The Council is the lead development partner in the Cotswold Canals Connected project to link a nine mile stretch of canal between Saul and Thrupp by 2023, thanks to a recent successful £8.9million bid to the National Heritage Lottery Fund. Brimscombe Port is the intended destination at the eastern end of the canal.
The project aligns with Stroud District Council’s five main Corporate Delivery Plan priorities for Economy, Affordable Housing, Environment, Health and Wellbeing, and Delivery.
Ward Councillor Martin Whiteside said: “This project is building momentum and it’s important that the views of local people are taken on board and incorporated as much as possible. The development should be at the heart of Brimscombe and provide a sustainable community for generations to come.”
Temporary leases have been used creatively by social enterprises, charities and businesses in some of the redundant 1960s and 70s industrial buildings, and positive conversations continue to help them find new premises.
Once a developer is agreed upon, a planning application for the development will be worked up, and there will be more chance for the public to have their say.
At Strategy and Resources Committee, members voted in favour to seek approval to procure a developer partner for the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port. The full papers for the meeting are available at https://www.stroud.gov.uk/council-and-democracy/meetings/strategy-and-resources-committee
To find out more, visit: www.stroud.gov.uk/brimscombeport