Golden Valley Cheltenham

Following their involvement in our Planning and Land Development Conference we caught up with Cheltenham Borough Council’s Director of Planning Tracey Crews on their approach to unlocking sustainable development opportunities and the game-changing Golden Valley masterplan…

Q. What was the impetus for Cheltenham’s Golden Valley masterplan and how could it be transformative in the region?

The trigger point for growth was the Government commitment made in 2015 of the role Cheltenham would play in the growth of the cyber sector. From that commitment 5 key layers that make up the value proposition for Golden Valley development have been developed these being;

  1. GCHQ
  2. Extensive cyber eco-system
  3. Heart of innovation and academia
  4. Location & accessibility
  5. Strong leadership & investment
  6. Scale

The masterplan draws on all these values wrapped within a context of delivering place making that drives innovation and sustainability.

Transformation is in a number of forms, positioning Cheltenham and wider Gloucestershire to establish the UK as a science & innovation superpower, providing transferable and viable best practice in smart city principles, building with nature and wider sustainability outcomes.

Cyber Central UK plays a leading role in the Western Gateway powerhouse Applied Digital Accelerator proposals being put to central government.  The role Cyber Central plays in delivering an additional £56 billion of the UK economy by 2030 is set out in Western Gateway Powerhouse prospectus.

Q. The core of your plans is up to 185,000sqm commercial space at Cyber Central, creating a cyber security hub around GCHQ, why did Cheltenham decide to focus place making for the development around this?

Cyber Central is cheek by jowl with communities experiencing high levels of multiple deprivation.  Alongside the role the commercial space can play in supporting the UK to be a cyber global leader, it will offer real life opportunities for skills and investment in the residents of the Cheltenham and beyond.  Cyber Central offers a once in a generation opportunity to drive change that will affect life chances and outcomes – creating the brightest business minds of the future.

Q. You have planned a 2,370 home garden community at the Golden Valley, what were the key principles that underpinned your planning process?

Garden communities principles have driven the DNA of the Supplementary Planning Document that supports the delivery of Golden Valley Development, drawing together the interfaces between built and natural environment in a way that will drive key place making, but also sustainability principles. 

Our aim is to drive the highest standards of viable environmental sustainability integrating exemplar homes as part of a thriving campus and garden community, defined by its quality in design, active travel network, public spaces and approach to connectivity both digitally and physically.

Alongside Garden Community principles we are committed to Building with Nature.

Q. How will the new development help the council achieve your 2030 net zero carbon ambitions?

How we think about building design and orientation, movement and energy are key principles within the Supplementary Planning Document, but not just in terms of contributing the Councils net zero carbon ambitions, but also bringing change to existing communities.

Q. What parts of your ambitious schemes are still yet to be procured and have you named any contractors yet?

Cheltenham Borough Council is currently in the process of procuring a development partner; this will be completed by spring 2021.