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Our Vision for Brimscombe Port

Brimscombe Port is a former inland port dating back to the 1780s. Following the decline of the canals as a mode of transport the port became redundant and was in-filled after the Second World War, and latterly developed as an industrial site in the 1960s. Until recently, the port site was industrial site but was showing signs of its age.  

As such, Stroud District Council had a new vision for the port which offered a rare opportunity to create a sustainable mixed use community, servicing the needs of both the existing and future residents.  As one lifelong local resident said “putting the heart back into Brimscombe”.

From then until now...

Situated between the town of Stroud and the village of Chalford, Brimscombe Port is a stunning location at the foot of the Cotswold escarpment, next to the River Frome and Thames and Severn Canal. 

Brimscombe Port started life in 1779 and became a key transfer point for sea-going barges to narrow boats accommodating some 100 vessels at its height.  Sadly the canal and basin were filled in after the Second World War. The canal headquarters, which then became a school, was demolished as part of road straightening in the 1960s.  The Port took on a new lease of life as an industrial estate, becoming home to a number businesses, including the family run ring binder company Benson & Sons.  Sadly, as businesses moved out of the site, it started to fall into disrepair.  

Recently, the Port was a temporary home to a number of Community Interest Companies whilst viability for the site was assessed and funding was secured. 2021/2022 saw plans take a significant step forward and work began to get the site ready...

 "An exemplar and sustainable community, integrated with the existing surroundings."

Since 2004, with a number of community consultations, Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council, Stroud District Council and other stakeholders have been developing a vision for a redeveloped Port.  The shared vision includes a port basin, re-opened canal, energy efficient housing, employment, visitor and community facilities. 

In July 2022, St. Modwen Homes was selected to bring this vision to life.

St. Modwen Homes is now drawing up a detailed planning application for the redevelopment proposals which will include public consultation over the coming months, which started with a public meeting held on Wednesday 10 August 2022 at Brimscombe Port Mill.

Redevelopment of Brimscombe Port UNVEILED

The initial exciting proposals for the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port were unveiled by St Modwen Homes at a public meeting held in August 2022. These plans can be found here.

Given the financial challenges experienced throughout the construction sector in the past two years, St Modwen Homes were pleased to present their refined proposals at a further public consultation on 12 December 2024, taking into consideration the feedback obtained from residents, focus groups, as well as recent pre-application advice from the Local Planning Authority and the South-West Design Review Panel. These plans can be found here.

Brimscombe Port is a former inland port dating back to the 1780s which became redundant after the era of the canals as a mode of transport came to an end. It was filled in after the Second World War and developed as an industrial site, and was earmarked as in need of significant regeneration by Stroud District Council.

Due to the high infrastructure costs, the scheme requires public funding. We were successful in securing £2m from Homes England in 2015 which we have match funded and have recently secured a further £776k through another successful bid for grant funding through One Public Estate for the Land Release Fund. Together these contributions will enable a developer partner to be selected to create a unique waterside attraction.

The Output Specification for Brimscombe Port was approved by Strategy and Resources Committee at its meeting on the 11 July 2019. This document sets out the Council’s vision for the redevelopment of the port and its aspirations and objectives with regard to design, site and developer partner requirements and provides information about the site and its existing condition.

The document is a result of all the feedback received by the Council following its public consultation event in December 2018 and following extensive consultation with key stakeholders including the Parish Council, Stroud Valleys Canal Company and Homes England and a wide range of officers and members from across the Council.

Planning approval for the infrastructure design including the new access road from the A419, the reinstatement of the canal, basin and road and bridge works and demolition of the buildings was granted on the 24 March 2021 together with Listed Building Consent to demolish the modern additions to the listed Mill building, which will remain. Once the Council has procured a developer partner, which is expected to be July 2022, a detailed application for the redevelopment of the site will be prepared and further public consultation will take place prior to an application being submitted.

Further information on the project can be found in the regular Information Sheets which can be found here together with a link to the Strategy and Resources Committee report below.

You can download a copy of the Output Specification here. 

Meeting links

We know how important The Port is to the local area and we are working hard with our Developer - St Modwen Homes, and the community to bring the vision to life.

Please find below the details from the community meetings held so far:

Wednesday 10 August 2022

Held at Brimscombe Port Mill between 14:30 and 20:00. 

Wednesday 17 November 2021

Held at The Ship Inn between 14:30 and 18:30.

Wednesday 4 August 2021

Thursday 13 Dec 2018

Public Consultation

Meetings with Brimscombe and Thrupp Parish Council (ongoing)

  • Monday 28 November 2022
  • Monday 31 October 2022
  • Tuesday 4 October 2022
  • Tuesday 2 August 2022
  • Wednesday 13 July 2022
  • Wednesday 4 May 2022
  • Monday 31 January 2022
  • Monday 1 November 2021
  • Monday 27 September 2021
  • Thursday 12 August 2021

Brimscombe Port was originally part of the Cotswold Canal Regeneration Project with the aim of linking The Ocean at Stonehouse to Brimscombe Port. However, after the property crash in 2009, the Canal Project was scaled down to finish at Bowbridge.

Stroud District Council stepped in to continue the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port and the work on restoring the Cotswold Canal also continues. However, there remains a funding gap to complete the section from Bowbridge to Brimscombe Port.

Take a look at the canals right now by clicking on the links below.  If you have an adblocker installed you will need to turn this off to view the cams.