​People in Stroud still have a chance to get their say in the ongoing debate over where 2,000 new homes should go.

Residents in Stonehouse, Cam and Upton St Leonards have visited public consultation events in their areas.

The Your District, Your Future roadshow was at Nailsworth Library last night and will be at the Subscription Rooms on March 13 from 10am-1pm.

Stroud District Council (SDC) is inviting anyone who lives, works or invests in Stroud to take part.

Its cabinet member for development Councillor Barbara Tait (Con Painswick) said the future growth and development of the district was under the spotlight.

“We are facing a challenge to ensure that future growth is managed in a sustainable way and takes account of climate change,” she said.

“We need to make provision for homes, jobs and community facilities, while at the same time protect our natural environment.”

Mrs Tait said the input from residents was, therefore, crucial in helping the council put together a long-term sustainable strategy.

“SDC wants to create a future that meets all the needs of the community and allows the district to prosper,” she said.

By 2026 Stroud needs to find 2,000 new homes and encourage a new generation of jobs under Government guidelines.

With that in mind, a core strategy has been drawn up which includes seven alternatives for the new homes.

They range from a whole new town, maybe west of Stonehouse, through to several hundred homes on each of eight key settlements to smaller developments of 10-50 dwellings distributed on a wide range of small parish sites.

In Stonehouse, more than 40 people visited the roadshow and slightly favoured a cluster approach of 200-250 new houses at eight main settlements, including in Stonehouse itself.

A mini guide to the seven options is available at public libraries and all town and parish council offices.

Copies and details of further roadshow venues can also be found at the SDC Ebley Mill offices, the Subscription Rooms and on the council’s website.

The house building is being pioneered under something called the Regional Spatial Strategy – a Government quango.