Stroud BDA visit to A417 Missing Link

October 13, 2025October 13, 2025stroudbdaBlogA417, Highways, Kier Construction, Missing LinkLeave a comment

On 2nd October, a few members of the BDA joined a presentation of the works at the A417 Missing Link near Birdlip.

The A417/A419 provides an important route between Gloucester and Swindon that helps connect the Midlands/North to the South of England. It’s an alternative to the M5/M4 route via Bristol. The Missing Link itself is a three-mile stretch of single-lane carriageway on the A417 between the Brockworth bypass and Cowley Roundabout in Gloucestershire.

Thankyou to Kier Construction for the presentation.

https://nationalhighways.co.uk/media/2v5cits5/a417_scheme-map-june-24.png

30 Year Anniversary

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025stroudbdaBlog, EventsBuilding, StroudLeave a comment

The Stroud Building Design Association has now been going for 30 years. Originally set up to provide CPD for small practices involved in the design of buildings working in the Stroud area, there have been many members over the years.

Now, post COVID, and providers of CPD taking their courses on-line, find speakers is becoming more difficult. However, there are still a number of professionals in a range of disciplines who meet up for networking (second Wednesday of each month) at the Stroud Brewery.

See calendar for dates and times of events.

Insulation Materials Selection for Traditional Buildings

August 3, 2025August 3, 2025stroudbdaBlogConservation, Domestic, energy, historic buildings, Insulation, retrofitLeave a comment

The Sustainable Traditional Buidlings Alliance has produced a new document for the assessment of insulation for traditional buildings. Very useful information for anyone thinking of adding insulation to a traditional building.

Insulation Materials Selection for Traditional Buildings

Annual Outing 2025

July 4, 2025July 7, 2025stroudbdaBlogcathedral, gloucester, summer visitLeave a comment

This years outing by the BDA was a tour of the tower of Gloucester Cathedral to see the roof structure from within, the bell ringers room and also to the top of the tower to see the views over Gloucester. It was a clear day (although windy at the top) and could see for miles in every direction.

More information on the Gloucester Cathedral website

Former surgery in Minchinhampton sold

June 5, 2025June 5, 2025stroudbdaBlogMinchinhamptonLeave a comment

Minchinhampton Parish Council have completed the purchase of the former surgery in the centre of Minchinhampton. It will be retained for community use.

For more information see The Stroud Times website.

Building on Merrywalks, Stroud

April 8, 2025April 8, 2025stroudbdaBlogBuilding, Change of Use, StroudLeave a comment

Axiom House on Merrywalks has been granted planning permission for a change of use from offices to 18 residential appartments.

Further details on the Stroud District Council Planning Portal: Reference S.25/0270/P3E

1.5M homes planned in England but skilled workers lacking

February 28, 2025February 28, 2025stroudbdaBlogArchitecture, Stroud, teachingLeave a comment

BBC Radio Gloucestershire

1.5 million new homes are due to be constructed in the UK over the next few years. BBC Radio’s Esme Ashcroft, has been talking to construction teachers in Stroud. Listen at the link below.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kqbcln

Bath has appointed their first architect-in-residence

October 18, 2024October 18, 2024stroudbdaBlogLeave a comment

City leaders in Bath have appointed their first architect-in-residence for a pilot scheme which aims to preserve the area’s unique heritage.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cj31xdjgmgmo

Adapting Historic Buildings for Energy and Carbon Efficiency

August 2, 2024August 2, 2024stroudbdaBlogcarbon, energy, historic buildingsLeave a comment

Historic England have provided updated guidance for energy and carbon efficiency in historic buildings.

https://historicengland.org.uk/images-books/publications/adapting-historic-buildings-energy-carbon-efficiency-advice-note-18/heag321-adapting-historic-buildings-energy-carbon-efficiency

Stroud Preservation Trust – Chapels of Rest

March 27, 2024March 27, 2024stroudbdaBlogConservation, StroudLeave a comment

SPT are discussing taking on the former Chapels of Rest at the Bisley Road cemetery in Stroud. This has long been redundant and requires numerous repairs and updating improvements to enable more beneficial uses. Initially essential repairs and updating of building services will be considered to enable temporary community, art and performing uses with longer term improvements and occupation conditional on future funding availability.

www.stroudpreservationtrust.org.uk

Photograph of The Chapels of Rest, Stroud, courtesy of Steve Hurrell