Agenda item

Planning Application documents

The Interim Development Management Manager introduced the report as published.

There was one public speakers on the item: the applicant’s representative.

The applicant’s representative addressed the committee and made the following points:

-       Attended the committee last year to present the outline application for the southern parcel. A year later back with the first detailed phase, which delivers the innovation centre and first of the mobility hubs for the southern parcel. Together they will kickstart the Golden Valley and help position Cheltenham at the forefront of cyber security, national security and advanced technology.

-       Crucially this is not a speculative development, there is clear demand from organisations in the sector for high-quality, flexible workspace. The scheme is designed to meet that demand from day one.

-       The principal of development has already been established, so the application before the committee is about the detail and whether this phase lives up to the ambitions that they supported at the outline stage. In the applicant’s and officers’ views, it does. It is a high-quality scheme that follows the approved design code, respects the parameter plans, and sets a strong benchmark for future phases.

-       It is more than just an office building, it is designed as a focal point for collaboration, investment, and innovation. The investment will create jobs both on site and across the wider supply chain, including high value roles that will strengthen Cheltenham’s place in the UK’s national security and technology economy.

-       This is about long-term opportunities, supporting skills development, partnerships with education providers, and creating opportunities for local people.

-       It also plays an important role by enabling sustainable travel, reducing reliance on cars and helping to unlock future phases.

-       The scheme responds well to its setting with strong landscaping, retention of key trees, meaningful public green space and a commitment to 10% biodiversity net gain.

-       Sustainability is also embedded throughout with efficient buildings, renewable energy technologies and a clear ambition towards net zero.

-       There are no objections from statutory consultees and no unacceptable impacts on neighbouring residents have been identified. Importantly, the site will also become publicly accessible for the first time.

-       Taken as a whole, this is more than just a first phase. It delivers jobs, skills, investment, and long-term economic resilience. It's high quality, policy compliant, and officers have recommended approval.

In response to Members’ questions, officers confirmed that:

-       The open spaces will be publicly accessible, not just for users of the buildings.

-       It is not known whether the event spaces will be available for community use, but it is intended that commercial spaces will be accessible to the public.

-       There have been discussions with the bus services, and the transport routes were agreed at the outline stage. So, this is not included as part of the current application. There will be bus gates and a bus stop is proposed on Fiddler’s Green Lane. The highway authority has reviewed the transport detail and is satisfied that the associated trips will work.

-       There is a requirement to provide electrical vehicle charging points within the car park.

-       There will be 140 bike racks and facilities for changing on site. This cycle storage will be within the building, rather than separate.

-       The council is not at this stage able to control any change in unit use through conditions, for example if it is decided later that this should be a private area. However, an application would need to be submitted for consideration for any change of use.

-       The senior tree officer is currently not concerned with the condition of the retained trees.

The matter then went to Member debate where the following points were made:

-       Whilst they would prefer to see green fields in the area, have to acknowledge they have been obscured by a 3-meter hedge until recently. The design of the innovation hub is really good, especially how it wraps around the trees. Whilst this is going to be closer than expected it is a very interesting building.

-       The mobility hub will be a big, imposing building for those living nearby. However, as someone living locally believe that the benefits from the site will outweigh the cost. It is a good application that they are happy to support. Following enquiry from the legal officer the Member confirmed that he did not believe the application would affect him to a greater extent than the majority of other council taxpayer’s living in the ward (as established within the Code of Conduct’s rules on Members’ interests).

-       Supports the application, particularly the sloped roof design. It will provide open space for locals to use.

-       Hopefully this development will bring magic to the area by generating employment, and providing security for the whole of Gloucestershire and beyond. As a county councillor this is the most important development for the county, and people with knowledge of cyber security will recognise its’ importance as a national, and even international, development. The designs reflect this excitement, particularly how it fits within the environment and local ecology.

-       This is a significant scheme that kickstarts Cheltenham’s position at the forefront of cyber security in the UK. It will be watched as a standard for other developments across the country.

The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to grant.

For: 9

Against: 0

Abstain: 0

Voted UNANIMOUSLY for the officer recommendation to grant.