Stroud District Council has completed the delivery of 13 new homes for social rent at Cambridge Avenue in Dursley, transforming a previously developed brownfield site into affordable housing.
The site, formerly home to a sheltered housing scheme, has been brought back into use to provide six two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom houses, all offered at social rent, which is set using a government formula and is typically the lowest cost housing option.
By regenerating this brownfield land, the council is helping to meet local housing need while reducing pressure on greenfield sites and protecting the surrounding countryside.
The houses are located close to local shops, services and public transport links.
The homes have been designed to a high environmental standard, helping residents to reduce energy costs while supporting the council’s climate commitments.
Each property has an EPC A rating and is fitted with air source heat pumps and solar PV panels. The scheme also incorporates permeable paving, hedgehog highways, bird and bat boxes, and new planting to support biodiversity.
The Cambridge Avenue scheme has been delivered with £1.82 million of funding from Homes England’s Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26.
In addition, Stroud District Council secured £371,000 from HM Government through the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2) to support the demolition of this site and two others, enabling previously developed land to be brought back into use.
Construction began on the site in March 2025 and was led by Speller Metcalfe, a family-owned regional contractor working on behalf of Stroud District Council.
The development supports several objectives in Stroud District Council’s Council Plan, including delivering affordable, energy efficient homes and bringing forward key regeneration sites, particularly on brownfield land.
Comments
Cllr Gary Luff, chair of Stroud District Council’s housing committee, said:
“These new homes are a positive example of how we can make best use of brownfield sites to deliver the affordable housing our communities need, while protecting our countryside from over development.
“There is a significant shortage of affordable housing, with thousands of households on our housing register, so every home we deliver matters. By regenerating a site that was no longer fit for purpose and replacing it with modern, energy efficient homes for social rent, we are helping local families put down roots and build more secure futures.
“This scheme also reflects our wider commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. These homes are cheaper to run, better for the environment and make excellent use of land in a way that supports thriving, resilient communities.”
A spokesperson from Homes England said:
“As the Government’s housing and regeneration agency, increasing the supply of quality affordable homes remains one of our key objectives and we are committed to supporting ambitious housebuilders of all sizes to build those homes and communities.
“This investment through the Affordable Homes Programme does just that, enabling Stroud District Council to build 13 much needed new homes the people of Dursley can be proud of”.
Mark Eaton, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said:
“We’re proud to be delivering homes like these in communities we know well. As a regional contractor, we see first-hand how important good quality, affordable housing is for local families, and it’s rewarding to help bring forward developments that give people a place to put down roots.
“Working closely with Stroud District Council, this scheme has created homes that will make a real difference to people’s lives for years to come.”
Future timeline
The new homes will be advertised through Homeseeker Plus, the choice-based lettings system used by Stroud District Council, once final preparations are complete.
Construction is also progressing across the district at Glebelands in Cam, where 23 new affordable homes are underway, and at Queens Drive in Cashes Green, where a further seven homes are being delivered. The developments will provide a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership properties, with the first homes due for completion in autumn 2026 and the remaining homes expected in summer 2027.
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