HBD has secured planning consent for the first phase of the £1bn Golden Valley scheme in Cheltenham.
The project, which is being delivered by HBD, part of Henry Boot, in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, will create a purpose-built cyber and tech innovation campus where GCHQ and pioneering companies will co-create the future of national security and defence.
Contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has been appointed to deliver the project’s first phase, which received resolution to grant outline planning consent in July 2025. The first phase includes the 160,000 sq ft IDEA building and ROUTER, which will provide advanced cycle facilities, e-bike charging, showers and lockers, alongside real-time transport information.
A resolution to grant outline planning permission has also been secured for the northern parcel at Golden Valley, which will deliver up to 443 new homes alongside supporting infrastructure, including land for a new primary school and local amenities. HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council will work alongside Savills to identify a suitable delivery partner for the development of the residential scheme.
Once complete, the Golden Valley scheme is expected to deliver more than 2,500 homes, around 1.25m sq ft of commercial space and support up to 12,000 jobs.
Hamer Boot, interim managing director of HBD, said: “Reserved matters approval for phase one is a significant step forward for Golden Valley and marks the transition from planning into delivery. As we move onto site, we are bringing to life a development that will play an important role in strengthening the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI and advanced technologies. Through strong partnerships and a clear long-term vision, Golden Valley will bring together industry, academia and government to drive innovation, support economic resilience and establish Cheltenham as a globally recognised destination for cyber and advanced technologies.”
Gareth Edmundson, chief executive of Cheltenham Borough Council, added: “Golden Valley securing reserved matters approval is a hugely important milestone for Cheltenham and for the wider region. It means we can now move forward with delivering a development that will create new jobs and training opportunities, support skills development and innovation, and strengthen our position at the forefront of cyber and technology. Working in partnership, we are creating a place that not only benefits our communities but also contributes to the UK’s national priorities and enhances Cheltenham’s growing international reputation in this sector.”
