District planners have given the go-ahead to build 13 affordable homes in Dursley.

Stroud District Council wants to demolish the former sheltered housing complex in Cambridge Avenue and build the new homes on the site.

The new homes will be separated into three distinct blocks and will provide a mix of seven three-bedroom homes and six two-bedroom houses.

Councillor Doina Cornell (Lab, Dursley) said the former sheltered housing site was deemed not fit for purpose and had other difficulties.

She said there is an issue across the district with not having much land on which it can build.

“This is one of the very last places we’ve got in the town where we can build council houses.

“The town is very constrained by being next to the area of outstanding natural beauty.

“They are going to be small family houses which is absolutely what people want.

“People are really desperate to have family homes and we can’t always provide them.”

She said there were concerns over the design of the homes which the town council felt was a bit “soulless”.

Jonathan Headland, speaking on behalf of the developer, said the housing is needed in the area and asked the planning committee to approve the scheme.

He said the new homes offer good opportunities for the use of solar energy and heat pumps.

Councillors said they were very happy with the proposals but asked for the new homes to include a mix of different colour rooves.

The planning committee voted unanimously to approve the proposals.