Historic Stroud site set for major transformation

Major plans have been approved to transform the vacant Fifth Dimension gym building and the adjoining Go Bananas soft play area at Ebley Wharf into a new development.

Stroud District Council has approved plans to convert the Grade 2 listed former mill building into 14 houses and 20 flats and maisonettes.

Fifth Dimension reopened as Fifth Gym at Stonehouse Business Park earlier this year after 20 years in Ebley.

Go Bananas Softplay is staying put until a new home is found in the Stroud and Stonehouse area.

This go ahead was given despite parking concerns being raised by Cainscross Town Council, which said this was already a ‘rising problem’ near the site.

Ten comments were also made by the public with concerns about access and traffic being among them.

A planning document on behalf of the applicant read: “The proposed redevelopment will retain as much of the original fabric as possible.

“The scheme seeks to weave in elements of the former uses of the buildings as much as possible and honour its legacy within the community.

“Like all buildings of this age the application site suffers from lack of energy efficiency.

“This scheme offers a chance to add modern methods of insulation, heating and ventilation without compromising the existing fabric of the building.

“The overall proposed development is very similar to that of the existing, as most of the building range is retained and converted.”

When the application was lodged in December 2022, a Fifth Dimension spokesperson said the site had become an ‘expensive facility’ to maintain and it was ‘unviable’ for the businesses to remain there.

They said: “The building has become an expensive facility to maintain and update with ever increasing utility costs making the site unviable for the business to remain.

“Both Fifth Dimension and Go Bananas soft play needed to find new homes and the mill will be restored and redeveloped to build attractive canalside town houses and refurbished contemporary apartments.”