Our application S.21/3014/FUL was validated on January 21st 2022. You can see the full application on the Stroud DC website by clicking here.
The final masterplan shows some late additions like the wildflower meadow:
All the detailed reports are on the Stroud DC website but the summary document, the Design and Access Statement can be viewed here. As a matter of good practice, ECLT has presented the plans to the Parish Council and received continuing unanimous support.
Housing mix updated
The mix of homes has been changed at several stages since the initial mix drawn from the 2019 Housing Needs Survey. The main influence was the practical experience of the demand for the Fullers Close homes. This encouraged ECLT and Two Rivers Housing to:
- increase the proportion of 2-bed semis
- increase the number of 3-bed semis
- reduce the number of flats
- reduce the number of bungalows, always remembering that ground floor flats also offer level access.
The public drop-ins at the Village Hall in July 2021 showed a strong interest in the shared ownership concept, so the 10 originally planned were retained although with a different mix:
House Type Total Shared Ownership Rented
2-bed houses 14 8 6
3-bed houses 7 2 5
1-bed bungalow 2 – 2
1-bed ground floor flat 4 – 4
1-bed first floor flat 4 – 4
Totals 31 10 21
SUCCESS!
Full Planning Permission was granted on 24th January 2024.
This was achieved after extensive discussions with National Highways, the owners of the adjoining M5 motorway, which were resolved through providing deeper detail. For example, an additional report on Lighting was provided to prove that there will be no glare towards the vehicles using the motorway. The minor modifications to the submitted plan, above, have no impact on the location of the roads and houses.
WHAT HAPPENED NEXT?
We handed over to our partners Two Rivers Housing to prepare for the Build Phase. This included:
- tendering for the whole scheme to about six contractors, all of whom are well known locally and are also likely to be employing Gloucestershire tradespeople and sub-contractors.
- applying to Homes England for the grants which will underpin the affordability of our scheme.
- the whole project being viable, the land acquisition could then be concluded.
Contracts on the land were completed on October 28th 2024, with
- ECLT purchasing the freehold of the whole five acres, with the help of grants from Stroud DC and Eastington Parish Solar Fund.
- Two Rivers Housing taking a long lease on the Western three acres required for the 31 affordable homes.
- GB Thomas of Leominster being appointed as Main Contractor by Two Rivers Housing.
Please follow the story of Project Two under the next sections:
Breaking Ground and Building Progress