National house builder, Linden Homes and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) have completed a development agreement which has allowed work start on the transformation of the former Gloscat college site in the heart of the city centre.
The new development will provide 176 apartments and 78 townhouses, including a mix of 32 affordable homes, to create an attractive residential neighbourhood within this historic quarter. The scheme will also include a new Doctor’s surgery, pharmacy, offices, restaurants, café bars and community space.
The 2.4 hectare site off Brunswick Road was formerly the Greyfriars campus of Gloucestershire College (Gloscat) before the college relocated to the new waterfront campus in Gloucester Quays in September 2007. The prominent 1960s Gloscat Tower Block was demolished in October 2011.
Greg Smith, Chairman of Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company, said: “We’re delighted to see the regeneration of Greyfriars commence as it is a key site in the URC’s ‘Magnificent Seven’ regeneration programme. This event marks an important milestone in the regeneration of Gloucester which has already seen £600m invested since 2006. Like the college’s relocation to the Quays we see Linden’s investment as a catalyst in regenerating the surrounding area.”
Simon Gait, Land Director of Linden Homes Western, said: “The Greyfriars site is ideally situated for modern city-centre living in the heart of Gloucester. As is fitting for the National Housebuilder of The Year, all the homes will be designed and built to the highest standards, and with the new public square and local amenities the development will undoubtedly bring a new vitality to the area."
David Warburton, HCA Head of Area, said: “This vitally important project is part of our long-standing commitment to regeneration in Gloucester, which will see new homes, the regeneration of the Docks and opportunities for business space and new jobs brought to the city. The new development will make a huge difference to the city and underpins our commitment to creating thriving places by bringing new homes, jobs and investment to areas which need them.”