BUSINESS units at Littlecombe, Dursley, will now be let after Stroud district councillors unanimously agree to spend nearly £200,000 extra.

The initial plans for the area’s redevelopment were to build 10 units totalling 20,000sq feet of business space to provide more employment areas near to Dursley and Cam.

However the designers of the build, St Modwens – who have been given a 999-year lease for the site – found that the cost of construction was up to 30 per cent higher than those of a similar size within 10 miles.

Council officers suggested the build size was reduced to 18,350sq feet across nine units, which would cost SDC an added £180,000 taking the total spend to £1.93 million.

They warned: “As costs are now fixed for the council, the main risk is in letting the units at the estimated rental levels.

“The council’s agents advise that this is a specific, minor market with consistent enquiries from small businesses wanting to buy and lease premises in Dursley.

Officers forecast that the cost of the build will be paid back within 12 years, depending on pre-let, pre-sale and contract terms.

All three of the town’s district councillors approve of the redevelopment, including Cllr Colin Fryer (Lab) who was involved with sale of the site during his 37-years working there for Lister Petter.

He said: “If Listers had relocated it would have been to the spot where the new business units are to be built.

“So I am particularly pleased that employment is coming down to this end of the site as, it is much needed for Dursley.”

SDC have selected Bailey, Graham, Wyatt and Ashton for the remaining unnamed streets in Littlecombe.

- Bailey after the Bailey family and the Bailey Newspaper Group

- Graham after Captain Graham – a prominent figure in the life of Dursley and famous Irish wolf-hound breeder

- Wyatt after Doris Wyatt – a munitions worker who died at RA Lister during WW1, the only woman listed on the War Memorial, her brother John also died during the war and is listed

- Ashton after RA Lister - Robert Ashton Lister, who was known simply as Ashton

Stroud District Council deputy leader Doina Cornell (Lab, Dursley), said: “I am very pleased to see the district council undertaking another investment into Dursley's economy.

“We have seen the town lose a lot of jobs in the past few years and although there are a growing number of small to medium businesses in the area, we've been hearing the story for some time that there are not enough premises available.

“The market was not ready or willing to provide what was needed so as a council we've stepped in.

“What's also important is that this investment will generate future income to help sustain services at a time when local government funding is being cut.”

Alison Hayward, another of the three district councillors for Dursley, said: “As a project it is great news for Dursley's economy.

“Having local employment opportunities is important to supporting communities, it's really pleasing that the council has been able to support this.”

All of the 13 members on SDC’s strategies and resources committee voted in favour of the extra spending on Tuesday night (June 13).

Councillors stated that they aim to have the project completed by the end of the year and with many of the units occupied by aspiring businesses.

County councillor for the Dursley division Loraine Patrick told the Gazette: “Dursley needs it, we have lost a lot of the big employers and anything that brings in more employment is welcomed.

“There are a lot of houses being built in the area and they need the employment to match that.

“Let’s hope we get them filled by the end of the year, we need something that is sustainable and permanent.”