Barnwood Trust changes plans to redevelop Manor Gardens, in the light of the global pandemic

Barnwood Trust has made the difficult decision not to go ahead with the proposed redevelopment of ‘Manor Gardens’ in Gloucester and will now seek to secure a sale of the site to an appropriate housing provider.

In early March 2020, Barnwood Trust obtained planning permission to redevelop Manor Gardens in Barnwood, Gloucester.  The scheme was for 46 new homes set in landscaped gardens, showcasing high quality accessible home design with shared spaces to encourage a supportive community.

The unfolding of the Covid-19 global pandemic meant that the Board of Trustees at Barnwood Trust needed to re-evaluate the viability of the project.  The decision has now been taken not to go ahead with the redevelopment of Manor Gardens.  Rising costs and the increasing demand on the Trust’s resources are the reasons behind this.  Speaking for the Trust, Chair of the Board Ann Santry said:
“This was a very hard decision for the Trust to take, but we believe it is the right one in the current climate.  The impact of the pandemic on the lives of disabled people and people with mental health challenges across Gloucestershire is extensive.  We want to ensure that the Trust can provide the widest benefit possible, to people across the county, and to continue to do so into the future.” 

A new plan for Manor Gardens

After detailed consideration, Barnwood Trust is now seeking to sell the overall Manor Gardens site to a housing provider which is committed to creating a supportive and inclusive community.  The Trust has already received some initial promising ‘expressions of interest’.

Barnwood Trust CEO, Sally Byng said: “Our hope is that a housing provider with excellent management standards that shares our vision for an inclusive community will come forward to buy Manor Gardens.  The wellbeing of current and future residents remains of utmost importance to us and we will do everything we can to make the transition as smooth as possible.”

 

To speak to us about any aspect of the decision to sell Manor Gardens to a housing provider, please contact Martin Hawkins from Barnwood Trust on 01242 539935 or martin.hawkins@barnwoodtrust.org, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm.