Wavensmere Homes and BBS Capital’s redevelopment plans for the North Place surface car park in Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area have been recommended for approval by the borough council’s planning officials.
Designed by Glancy Nicholls, the £55m plans for Arkle Court propose the creation of 147 houses and apartments which will complement the town’s Regency architecture.
The 3.5-acre site will accommodate 75 three-bedroom townhouses and 72 one- and two-bedroom apartments in a three- to four-storey block.
Ben Clarke, technical director at Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are delighted to see this allocated brownfield site recommended for approval, ahead of the planning committee meeting on 15 August. Our plans for Arkle Court will finally bring forward this long unloved eyesore and continue the renaissance of the wider St Paul’s area.
“After extensive work with the planning department and statutory consultees, amended plans were submitted earlier this summer to address feedback on heritage and conservation impact to the Grade II* listed St Margaret’s Terrace. We have consequently reduced the scale and mass of the apartment block and introduced a range of finer architectural details found locally.
“This important regeneration project is set to showcase what can be achieved when the borough council and developers work together to unlock complicated schemes for the benefit of Cheltenham.”
Nick Spencer, director, and co-founder of BBS Capital, added: “We are delighted to once again be working with Wavensmere Homes on a landmark project which is set to deliver new investment and jobs, while creating highly sustainable homes on brownfield land.
“While the viability assessment for the site did not allow for 20% affordable housing to be delivered, as part of our negotiations with the local authority and in an effort to bring the site forward, we have made a commitment to provide 20% affordable housing on-site, along with a contribution of over £1m towards upgrades towards local education, libraries and the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation.
“In addition, a high proportion of the new homes will be aimed at first time buyers and young families, with attainable prices significantly below prime Cheltenham values.”
In 2013, the council awarded planning for a large supermarket and 143 new homes on the North Place car park site, which never materialised.
