WORK could start soon to turn an empty Stroud care home into accommodation for young people in care.

A planning application has been submitted to carry out work at the vacant Southfield House in Park Road.

It is understood the proposed site could provide accommodation for up to 30 young care leavers aged 16 to 25 as part of the £3.35 million project.

This week, a spokesperson from Gloucestershire County Council has told the SNJ that construction work could start soon.

The site was previously home to 28 residents before it closed in 2019.

According to floor plans, there would be spaces for 19 bedrooms at the main house, plus a welfare room, dining room, two lounges and an office.

GCC submitted the application to Stroud District Council on October 17.

Proposals include demolishing several structures on the site including garages, an office and a kitchen.

It comes after plans for the project were given the green light by GCC’s cabinet in March 2022.

At the time, officials said they planned to create flats for young care leavers at the main house at Southfield.

Meanwhile, there would be eight flats and one ‘crash pad’ at an old house on the site for young care leavers who are in employment, training or apprenticeships.

A GCC spokesperson said: “We are committed to high quality homes and supported accommodation for children and young people that are in, or leaving, our care.

“As part of this strategy, we are developing Southfield House in Stroud as a key supported accommodation setting for young people aged 16 to 25.

“We have been working closely with local residents and have made changes to the plans based on their feedback.

“The construction work on Southfield House is beginning imminently.

“Through the course of building this asset in the community for our young people we are continuing our regular meetings with the local residents’ group and holding coffee mornings for adjacent neighbours and interested members of the community.”

The old care home was formerly run by the Orders of St John Care Trust, as part of the Gloucestershire Care Partnership.

GCC decided to close the site at the same time it shut Wyatt House in Paganhill.

You can view the plans quoting S.24/1884/CM or see them at tinyurl.com/ycy8sm59