Mr McCloud, who presents Grand Designs on Channel 4, said they had to resist temptation to demolish the site.

BBC: Kevin McCloud

The Anglican Bishop of Plymouth, the Right Reverend John Ford, said Mr McCloud's release was a "fantastic piece of news".

BBC: Allen McCloud. Pic: AFP

Television presenter Kevin McCloud is asking for people's views on his grand design for a derelict former hospital site in Stroud.

BBC: Kevin McCloud

Outline planning permission has been granted to a partnership led by Mr McCloud to convert the Cashes Green Hospital site into 78 homes.

BBC: Kevin McCloud

Two of the survivors have been named as Lou Fear, 56, from Louth in Lincolnshire and Allen McCloud, 53, from Plymouth in Devon.

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McCloud keeps a close eye on developments in online comics.

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Mr McCloud added that local people's views were crucial to his plans, which include 39 homes to be available for "affordable" rent, and urged people to have their say.

BBC: Kevin McCloud

The project is a joint venture between Hab, a development company set up by Grand Designs TV presenter Kevin McCloud, and GreenSquare, a registered charity that invests in social housing.

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The first prosecution under section S72 of the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 involved Barry McCloud, who was jailed for life in 2010 for sex offences against a girl in Goa.

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Mike Bellamy, landlord of the Notte Inn in Plymouth, which is part-owned by Mr McCloud, said the ex-hostage was "one of the most charitable, honest and nicest people I have had the pleasure to meet".

BBC: Allen McCloud. Pic: AFP