Prinknash Abbey, a former Benedictine monastery near Gloucester, is poised for a significant £20 million redevelopment that will convert the historic site into modern residential accommodation. The Abbey, nestled between Brockworth and Painswick along the A46, served as home to up to 89 monks from 1972 until 2008 and has remained vacant since.
The newly submitted planning application to Stroud District Council outlines an ambitious proposal to create 20 apartments alongside eight three-bedroom houses within the existing structure. The detailed plans include a mix of housing types: eight three-bedroom houses, five three-bedroom apartments, 14 two-bedroom apartments, and a single one-bedroom apartment, all designed to blend contemporary living with the Abbey’s architectural heritage.
Supportive communal facilities such as resident parking equipped with electric vehicle charging points, bicycle storage, and a refuse and recycling area are also included in the redevelopment. Notably, the proposal features the addition of a Glass House—a public space that aims to showcase the monastery’s renowned stained-glass windows, inviting visitors to engage with the site’s rich history.
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Earlier attempts to redevelop the Abbey, including plans to demolish the structure in 2016 and 2017, were rejected. This new plan respects the existing building and has garnered backing from the Abbey’s trustees. Engineering consultants Curtins have assessed the building’s structural integrity and confirmed its suitability for refurbishment.
A public consultation hosted in September attracted around 50 attendees, with feedback described as “overwhelmingly positive.” The community expressed keen interest and enthusiastic support for the project, emphasizing the importance of reviving the Abbey.
Stephen Day, chair of the Abbey’s trustees, highlighted the necessity of breathing new life into the historic building, underscoring the cultural and architectural value of preserving Prinknash Abbey through sensitive redevelopment.