Preparations underway for port redevelopment

Preparations have begun on the multi-million pound redevelopment of Brimscombe Port near Stroud. The 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 in-filled in the 1960s and developed as an industrial site, but is now a brownfield site in need of significant regeneration.

Stroud District Council leader, Councillor Steve Lydon, said:

"We’re leading this project, which has the potential to deliver £30-35million of regeneration, to attract a developer to redevelop the port and convert it into a site with a minimum of 150 new homes, business premises, restored canal and a community centre. Initial topographical surveys have begun to map the site as the first part of the assessment that will determine the work required to rebuild the infrastructure of the area."

Councillor Martin Whiteside, the district councillor for Thrupp and chair of the Brimscombe Port Project Board said:

"It is great to see that at long last the detailed engineering design is now being done to prepare for the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port. It’s technically complicated, with the river, canal and Brimscombe Hill road all needing to cross each other while at the same time satisfying environmental and flood risk reduction criteria."

Stroud District Council has committed £1 million and obtained a £2 million loan from the Homes and Communities Agency to make the area ready for development. The money will contribute towards buying and remediating land as well as designing major engineering works encompassing a new canal basin, river crossing, culverts and new roads.

Whilst it could take at least two years for these major works to be completed in order to enable developers to take on the project and begin construction, the council is hoping to produce indicative plans for the redevelopment towards the end of this year. These will then be available for consultation by the community.

Councillor Whiteside added:

"It is a big project that will take several years to complete, however I’m delighted to see the first steps in the process of redeveloping Brimscombe Port as the heart of our community, with much needed housing, employment, reinstatement of some of the original port basin and new community facilities. It will be challenging to achieve this in the current financial climate, but it’s great to see things start on the ground."