Developers have submitted plans for Cheltenham's £1bn cyber development which is billed as a major part of the Ƶ's National Cyber Strategy.
Developer HBD x Factory has submitted plans to Cheltenham Borough Council for permission to build the Golden Valley Development. The proposals comprise a diverse innovation district, comprising over 1 million sq. ft. of commercial space.
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The development will be built on land next to GCHQ and will will play a "crucial role" in achieving the Ƶ's ambition to be a Science and Tech Superpower. New homes will also be part of the project, with 1,000 low-carbon properties planned to rent and buy.
The National Cyber Innovation Centre, which gained £95m funding approval last month, will be a centre for learning which various businesses, schools and universities can rent out for education and training purposes. HBD said it hopes Golden Valley will attract businesses with a focus on science and technology in particular, building on the existing specialist cluster in cyber and the emerging AI, Deep Tech and Future Computing/Quantum sectors.
Councillor Mike Collins, cabinet member for cyber, regeneration and commercial income at Cheltenham Borough Council said: ‘’This is a huge step in the delivery of Golden Valley and I am delighted that we have reached a stage that a planning application has been submitted. Here in Cheltenham, we will be host to an internationally significant cyber and technology focussed campus which, subject to planning permission, will provide the catalyst for delivering economic growth for the town and regeneration of local communities.’’
Separate detailed proposals for the National Cyber Innovation Centre will be submitted in the new year following last month's funding agreement for the delivery of the landmark new building.
GCHQ's Paul Killworth, deputy chief scientific adviser for national security, added: "GCHQ supports Cheltenham Borough Council’s vision of Golden Valley as a thriving, high-tech cluster of cyber and technology firms working across the new campus.
"The opportunity offered by Golden Valley will lead to a sea-change in national-security relations between government, academia and industry. The National Cyber Innovation Centre was described as “a true international centre of innovation” in the National Cyber Strategy, and the development will also be a key part of the transformation of the intelligence community’s Science & Technology effort."
