Twenty new homes built by SDC opened in Nailsworth

The site was previously occupied by a garage site and sheltered housing scheme for older people.

According to Stroud District Council, the 1960s prefabricated concrete homes were cold and draughty with poor energy performance standards and had been identified as not fit for purpose during a review of council-owned sheltered housing stock.

The new homes are a mix of 15 houses and flats for affordable rent, and five houses and bungalows for shared ownership.

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Built by construction firm Beard, the properties are all highly insulated, fitted with air source heat pumps and solar panels, resulting in an energy-efficient EPC rating of A.

Each property has one or more parking spaces, which can easily be adapted for EV charging.

- Cllr Natalie Bennett officially opens the Ringfield Close site with Cllr Steve Robinson (L) and Cllr Norman Kay (R)

Most are designed to be `lifetime homes’ and include features such as ground floor access, the ability to install through-floor lifts and convert ground floor WCs to shower rooms in the future.

The site was formally opened by SDC ward member for Nailsworth, Cllr Natalie Bennett, who was joined by Nailsworth ward councillors Steve Robinson (also chair of council) and Norman Kay.

“I’m delighted to officially open this imaginative scheme which will bring much needed, high quality affordable homes to Nailsworth," said Cllr Bennett. 

“I’d like to thank the neighbouring residents and I look forward to seeing this new community develop within Nailsworth," added Cllr Robinson. 

Ringfield Close is the final project in Stroud District Council’s programme to build 36 new homes in the district during 2022.

Earlier this year seven homes were completed in Minchinhampton and nine in Eastington.

Jamie Harwood, Beard Swindon director, said: “Beard is a family-run business with a 130-year history and we are very much part of the communities we serve.

“We are proud to have delivered these much-needed affordable homes on schedule and on budget.

“Our ambition is to ensure the spaces we create have as little impact as possible on their environment – and these highly insulated, energy-efficient, ecologically responsible homes embody that ethos.”

The project supports Stroud District Council’s Council Plan to build affordable, energy efficient homes and its commitment for the district to become carbon neutral by 2030.