Innovation centre and mobility hub at Fiddlers Green Lane, Cheltenham

What was proposed

Reserved matters were submitted for the first phase of an innovation centre, mobility hub, flexible retail, community uses, infrastructure and open spaces.

“Application Summary Application Number: 26/00001/REM Address: Land At West Cheltenham Southern Parcel Fiddlers Green Lane Cheltenham Gloucestershire Proposal: Application for the approval of Reserved Matters (layout, scale, appearance, landscaping and access) for Phase 1 of development pursuant to Outline Planning Permission 23/01875/OUT for an Innovation Centre with ancillary cafe and event spaces (Class E), a Mobility Hub (Sui Generis) with flexible retail (Class E) and…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval and described the scheme as high quality, policy compliant, sustainable and beneficial for jobs, skills and investment.

“- 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 delivers jobs, skills, investment, and long-term economic resilience. It's high quality, policy compliant, and officers have recommended approval.”

Minutes

The main environmental concern

A neighbour objected that habitat loss would affect a more deprived community while biodiversity compensation and climate benefits would be delivered elsewhere.

“Others have already set out concerns about the scale of on-site habitat loss (a 28.93% deficit across the Southern Parcel), the mitigation hierarchy, and the reliance on off-site compensation at Hill Farm in Leckhampton, roughly 5km from the development. I won't repeat those arguments but want to raise two points I don't think have been properly addressed. A map illustrating these points has also submitted by email.”

“The deprivation gap between the community losing habitat and the community gaining it…”

Officer report

Consultation and public access

Statutory consultees did not object, and officers confirmed that open spaces would be publicly accessible.

“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.”

Minutes

What people said

The objection raised biodiversity and environmental justice concerns, while the applicant’s representative supported the scheme’s economic, environmental and transport benefits.

“Comment Details Commenter Type: Neighbour Stance: Customer objects to the Planning Application Comment Reasons: Comment:I object to the approval of reserved matters application 26/00001/REM on biodiversity and environmental justice grounds.”

“I ask that the application be refused or deferred until the applicant can show a revised BNG strategy that delivers the required net gain on-site or within West Cheltenham, not at Hill Farm. If officers are minded to recommend approval, I would urge that it go to Planning Committee so that elected Members can look at the environmental justice implications for Hesters Way and Springbank residents.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s representative spoke in support, describing the scheme as an important first phase for innovation, jobs and sustainable travel.

What members discussed

Members discussed the design, nearby impacts, open space, employment, local benefits and the development’s wider importance for cyber security.

“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.”

“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.”

Minutes

How members voted

Members voted 9 for, none against and none abstaining on the officer recommendation to grant permission.

“The matter then went to the vote on the officer recommendation to grant. For: Against: Abstain: 0”

“Voted UNANIMOUSLY for the officer recommendation to grant.”

Minutes