Council-wide Plans and Projects
Swedish Houses Redevelopment – Parish Council Information Page
This page brings together information, updates and Parish Council communications relating to the proposed redevelopment of the Swedish Houses site on The Avenue, Stinchcombe.
Stinchcombe Parish Council recognises that the proposed redevelopment of the Swedish Houses site on The Avenue is a matter of significant interest within the parish.
This page has been created to provide residents with a central location for Parish Council updates, background information and links relating to the proposals as the project progresses.
Updates are listed below in reverse chronological order, with the newest information shown first.
May 2026 – Ongoing Engagement
The Parish Council continues to engage with officers and representatives from Stroud District Council regarding the proposals.
Most recently, the Parish Council has been invited to visit completed Stroud District Council housing developments in Wotton-under-Edge and Dursley to better understand the style, layout and delivery of recent affordable housing schemes.
Councillors are currently confirming suitable dates for these visits.
April 2026 – Consultation Feedback and Revised Proposals
In April 2026, the Parish Council met with the Stroud District Council (SDC) Head of Property Services and received feedback from the public consultation undertaken earlier in the year.
Following the consultation process, SDC advised that only limited changes were currently proposed to the scheme, including:
- a reduction in housing numbers from 17 dwellings to 16
- an increase in visitor parking spaces to six
The proposed housing mix was updated to:
- 6 x one-bedroom properties
- 5 x two-bedroom properties
- 5 x three-bedroom properties
Additional information shared with the Parish Council included:
- Ecology surveys had not identified reptiles or great crested newts on the site, although some bat activity had been recorded.
- The proposed housing would use red brick designed to reflect nearby properties in The Buildings where possible.
- Existing hedgerows affected by the works would be replaced with natural hedging maintained by SDC.
- Tree pits were proposed as part of drainage and surface water management measures.
SDC also advised that Gloucestershire County Council Highways considered the proposed site access arrangements to be acceptable in highway safety terms. However, traffic calming measures, parking restrictions and pedestrian crossing facilities did not currently form part of the redevelopment proposals and would require separate future applications.
The Parish Council continues to have significant concerns regarding road user and pedestrian safety in the vicinity of the site and intends to continue raising these concerns with both SDC and Gloucestershire County Council.
At the time of the update, submission of a formal planning application was anticipated during spring 2026, with construction estimated to begin in 2028, subject to planning approval.
January 2026 – Parish Council Response
In January 2026, Stinchcombe Parish Council submitted its formal response regarding the proposed redevelopment proposals.
The Parish Council’s response can be viewed here with the reply received from SDC:
November & December 2025 – Community Consultation
In November 2025, Stroud District Council representatives provided a further briefing to the Parish Council regarding the redevelopment proposals.
SDC confirmed that proposals remained broadly unchanged, with 17 dwellings proposed and the intention to move towards a formal planning application during 2026.
A public consultation drop-in session was subsequently held by SDC at Stinchcombe Village Hall on 10th December 2025, providing residents with the opportunity to:
- view the proposed plans
- speak directly with SDC representatives
- ask questions
- provide comments and feedback
Ahead of the consultation event, the Parish Council also encouraged residents to attend its Christmas Meet and Greet event, where residents were invited to discuss the proposals informally and share their views.
The Parish Council has continued to encourage residents to engage with the consultation and planning process.
October & November 2025 – Initial SDC Housing Committee Report
On 27th October 2025, Stroud District Council (SDC) Property Services published a report and draft layout proposals for the redevelopment of the Swedish Houses site.
The report was presented to the SDC Housing Committee on 4th November 2025 and sought approval to progress the redevelopment proposals to the planning stage.
Initial proposals included 17 dwellings on the site.
Two Stinchcombe Parish Councillors attended the Housing Committee meeting and provided briefing points to the local District Councillor representative in advance of the discussion.
The Housing Committee subsequently agreed unanimously to progress the proposals to the planning stage.
At that stage, the Parish Council noted that, whilst it had significant concerns regarding aspects of the proposals, the formal planning process would provide the appropriate opportunity for detailed consideration and public comment.
Future Updates
Further updates will be added to this page as:
- planning applications are submitted
- consultations take place
- additional information is received from Stroud District Council
- Parish Council responses or decisions are made
Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring the Parish Council website and official planning consultation pages for the latest information.
