Dance studio at former Stroud garden centre gets go ahead

Plans to redevelop a former garden centre into a dance studio have been given the go-ahead.

Sunnyside Nurseries, near Cam, will be replaced by a studio, distribution warehouse, cafe, showroom and offices.

Mark Rees, the site's owner, said there was an "abundance of talent" in Stroud which was being "hampered by the lack of quality facilities".

The scheme had been recommended for rejection but was approved by Stroud District Council on Tuesday night.

The former garden centre, on the A38 Bristol Road at Gossington, has been derelict since 2018, according to the Local Democracy Reporting service (LDRS),

Along with the distribution warehouse and offices, plans for the site include a purpose-built 902sqm (9,709sqft) dance studio.

"As part of the development we are prepared to donate a small corner of the site to support my wife's business, the Sally Prout School of Dancing," said Mr Rees,

"We have an abundance of talent in the Stroud district which is hampered by the lack of quality facilities.

"Sally fully intends to remain teaching and running her existing classes in the local community. This is not a replacement studio."

The committee voted to approve the plans by six votes to four with one abstention.

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