Decision details

To agree a Local Lettings Plan (LLP) to cover first lets and all subsequent lets of all 65 social
rented properties within the Regents Village Development (Phase 1 Elms Park Strategic
Allocation), for an initial 12-month period (until 24th February 2026), to be reviewed by
Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) officers in December 2025 to determine whether an
extension or amendment to the LLP is required.

This decision gives CBC the authority to introduce, enforce and monitor a Local Lettings Plan
which covers all 65 social rented properties within the Regents Village (Elms Park)
development. This decision has been taken to ensure that, in line with the latest Homeseeker
Plus policy, the Council can support the creation of cohesive, sustainable and balanced
communities on this development that contributes towards meeting the Borough's housing
needs. This is especially important on this scheme, as the Regents Village development
represents the first phase of the larger North West Cheltenham strategic allocation- which, if
granted, could deliver approximately 4,100 homes, of which approximately 1,400 are designated
as affordable housing. It is therefore imperative that the Council uses a Local Lettings Plan to
help create resilient and welcoming communities on this scheme, which will act as a foundation
upon which wider communities on the North West Cheltenham Strategic Allocation may be
formed in the future.
Implementing this local lettings plan will therefore support community cohesion and resident
wellbeing and meet the Council's key objective, outlined within the 2023-2028 Housing,
1Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, namely- `investing in our communities to make
them stronger and healthier'. Additionally, introducing a local lettings plan on the Regents
Village Development will also meet one of the crucial sections of Key Priority 3 within the
Cheltenham 2023-2027 Corporate Plan, namely `supporting and enabling resilient communities'
and improving `tenant, resident and community outcomes'.
Please note this Local Lettings Plan will be reviewed by key officers from Cheltenham Borough
Council in December 2025 following Officer sign-off to determine whether an extension to or
amendment of the Local Lettings Plan is appropriate. If, for any reason, the Local Lettings Plan
is not functioning as intended, the Council will have the ability to review the Local Lettings Plan,
within 12 months of the approved officer decision date. This Local Lettings Plan will
automatically expire on 24th February 2026 in the event that relevant Cheltenham Borough
Council officers do not seek a review or extension of this Local Lettings Plan during December 2025.

An alternative option considered was not proceeding with setting up a Local Lettings Plan.
However, given the importance of this site in establishing strong, sustainable communities,
especially when framed in the wider context of the North West Cheltenham (Elms Park)
strategic allocation, this option has been rejected.

The accompanying Local Lettings Plan has been agreed in conjunction with key officers within
CBC, being informed through discussions with the Housing Options and Housing Management
services. These officers suggested clarifying the approach towards letting adaptable properties
on this scheme. Accordingly, this Local Lettings Plan has been amended to clarify how
applicants with proven medical needs will be prioritised for homes with adapted accessibility
features, against the wider context of the Homeseeker Plus policy. Additionally, officers
suggested that (social rented) bungalows included on this site should be advertised to
applicants with a proven medical need for a ground floor property- following discussions with
officers, this suggestion has now been added to the Local Lettings Plan. No additional feedback
was received from CBC officers regarding the proposed Local Lettings Plan. Following sign-off
by CBC officers, the proposed Local Lettings Plan was circulated to the Cabinet Member for
Housing for views and feedback. After reviewing the Local Lettings Plan, The Cabinet Member
for Housing was satisfied with the proposed Local Lettings Plan and Officer Decision.