TV presenter Kevin McCloud's Grand Designs for the derelict Cashes Green Hospital site in Stroud have won him the job of delivering a flagship affordable homes scheme on the land.

The Channel Four presenter, whose programmes follow ambitious building projects, has been selected as the best of eight submissions made to the site's owners, the government's Homes and Comm-unities Agency.

His company Hab Oakus will work alongside a community land trust, the Stroud-based Gloucestershire Land for People, and housing group Green Square on putting up 78 homes at the old hospital, 39 of them for affordable rent or part-ownership. Mr McCloud said Cashes Green could show how future housing developments, driven by local communities, could be unlocked.

"This will be an exemplar project and has the involvement of the community at its core. We are delighted to have the opportunity to work on such an important project," he said.

The deal will see Hab Oakus also work with local residents and stakeholders to develop a full planning application for the high standard of environmentally- sustainable houses, allotment space and community building. Gloucestershire Land for People will own and manage the 39 affordable homes and the remainder will be sold on the open market.

Trust chairman Max Comfort said he was delighted.

"This is a massive step forward in the development of the Cashes Green site. We are looking forward to playing out part in what is, quite rightly, a flagship for delivering affordable housing in England," he said.

Stroud District Council and Cainscross Parish Council was closely involved in getting the project off the ground.