Meet Beki
Cllr Beki Aldam
Brimscombe Port
“I’m excited to see Brimscombe Port come to life through this regeneration, and flourish for the local community and visitors to our region”
Brimscombe Port is a former inland port dating back to the 1780s. The decline of the canal network as a mode of transport for the port saw the site fall into a redundant state and was in-filled following the Second World War. The site went on to be redeveloped in the 1960s as an industrial site, with large warehousing and factories.
After decades of deterioration, the industrial site at Brimscombe Port was in desperate need of redevelopment to secure its future. The site could have simply been sold by Stroud District Council to a developer, but the sense of community and a clear sustainable vision for the development was of utmost priority to the Council. The decision to retain control and redevelop the area for the local community was put into action. The regeneration of Brimscombe Port presents a rare opportunity to create a sustainable mixed-use community that serves both the needs of the local community and future residents through the redevelopment of the site by St Modwen Homes, in partnership with Stroud District Council.
Steeped in history, Brimscombe Port is home to a number of listed buildings, including the Salt Warehouse and the Port Mill. The Port is located in an Industrial Heritage Conservation Area, one of the largest in the country. The end-of-life warehousing and ageing industrial units were demolished by Stroud District Council in 2022. Following their demolition, the Council has recycled or reused approximately 98.5% of the resulting material by tonnage overall from the site.
The listed buildings will be retained and incorporated into the new development in a greatly improved setting, next to the de-culverted river and reinstated canal. The new scheme will not only integrate with its existing surroundings, but also improve and enhance resident’s daily life, with a strong focus on sustainability and community.
In 2015, Stroud District Council secured a £2m loan from Homes England. The Council has since committed £2.6m to the project and has also received Land Release Funding through One Public Estate in the sum of £776k. All the surplus income from the commercial lettings on the site have also been reinvested in the project.
The regeneration project will deliver around 150 sustainable homes, 30% of which will be affordable housing. The development will bring water back onto the site, with a reinstated canal and canal basin at its heart. It will incorporate new retail opportunities for local businesses in which to operate and attract new businesses in keeping with the community and sustainability focus of the area. A new community building and new public spaces for the community and visitors to enjoy will also play a key part in the development.
Cllr Beki Aldam comments: “I am passionate about the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port for the local community. It’s deeply encouraging to see the plans delivered by St Modwen Homes. The sensitive redevelopment, with sustainability and community at its heart, will offer the opportunity for new and existing businesses to flourish.
“Brimscombe Port will once again become a destination which will be viable and vibrant all year round. It will be a thriving heart of the community for locals, and will become a visitor destination for the foreseeable future. With cycle routes linking to the canal towpath and accessible footpaths, the enhanced connectivity from the Port to neighbouring destinations is very much welcomed. I am encouraged that active travel will play an important part in the sustainable future of Brimscombe Port.”
St Modwen Homes will be obtaining the ‘Building with Nature’ accreditation to create a low carbon and more sustainable future for Stroud. Not only will this help create better places for people to live and work, but it will also protect the area’s biodiversity.
The Brimscombe Port redevelopment will be delivered in two stages, with the key canal and highways infrastructure built first, followed by the housing, commercial and public spaces with an aimed completion date of 2028.
To stay up to date with the development of the Port, click here.
