City secures £700,000 toward plan to boost city centre living

The grant from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund will allow the council to prepare the site of the former Wessex House, on Great Western Road, unlocking its potential for redevelopment into around 45 new homes.

The now demolished building that sits behind Gloucester Railway Station, had been the offices for Edmundson Electrical but stood empty for several years before being knocked down.

The grant of £688,484 will see the site decontaminated and archaeological investigations take place to prepare it for development. 

The council owned building is on the list of locations and empty or derelict buildings recently announced by the council as key to providing much needed housing in the city centre.

It is also hoped that the plans to boost city centre living will give a further lift to the economy by bringing more people to live in the heart of Gloucester.

Also on the list is land next to the 19 award-winning Whitefriars apartments, which are part of the £107m Forum regeneration scheme.

The city council previously secured for £477,903 from the Government’s Brownfield Land Release Fund to build 32 modern apartments on the land. 

The money has been used to remove the dilapidated former Thai restaurant on Market Parade, extensive decontamination, and archaeological surveying.

Other potential sites to be targeted are the former Fortis Insurance building at 67-69 London Road, in Kingsholm, 106-114 Northgate Street known as Spread Eagle Court, that has also been empty for several years and has fallen into disrepair, and 20-26 The Oxbode, opposite the university’s new campus in the former Debenhams.

The city council’s plan for around 200 new homes created will continue the massive regeneration taking place across the city, which includes the £200 million regeneration of Kings Quarter with the council’s partners Reef Group and the University of Gloucestershire.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “This is good news and means we can get the ball rolling on developing this prime site on Great Western Road, which is close to The Forum and Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

“It’s a real boost to our plan to tackle these under-utilised sites that are within or close to the city centre, which will not only help provide much needed housing, but will help improve the built environment in central Gloucester and this corner of Kingsholm. It should be good for business too.”

Councillor Luke Shervey, Cabinet member for Housing at Gloucester City Council, said: “Housing is one of our key priorities and I’m acutely aware of the need for more good quality housing in the city. We are fully committed to tackling the shortage and providing good homes which we know are linked to so many other important factors including health and quality of life.”