Cyber project gets a helping hand with successful bid

The bid was to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG). 

Cyber Central is joint project between Cheltenham and Tewkesbury borough councils, also working with the support of Gloucestershire County Council, GFirst LEP and the local MPs, to develop a vision for a pioneering new community which will become the focal point for the cyber security industry globally, nationally and locally.

Being part of this innovative programme will give the councils’ project team access to tailored information, guidance and assistance from the MHCLG to help design and deliver their vision.

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety at Cheltenham Borough Council, says: “This award is very encouraging and shows that the government is supportive of our ambitious vision for Cyber Central at West Cheltenham as a Garden Community. We have the opportunity to deliver a project that has international recognition, and a balanced community that is led by a strong demand of growth in the cyber industry.

“With the government’s continued support as part of this high profile programme, we will be able to learn from others’ experiences to make the very best of creating vibrant new communities, with unique employment opportunities around the cyber industry, integrating high quality homes, accessible and sustainable transport, as well as innovative uses of technology.

“This is a good team effort and a great day for Gloucestershire!”

Tewkesbury Borough Council’s lead member built environment, Councillor Mel Gore, continues: “It is fantastic that the Government is backing this innovative project through the Garden Communities programme. It means that local communities can be reassured that the Cyber Central scheme will produce a pioneering development that will be backed by the expertise, quality and infrastructure needed to make it worthy of local, national and even global interest.”

For more information about Garden Communities, visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/garden-communities

For media enquiries, contact: Cheltenham Borough Council communications, telephone 01242 264154, email [email protected]

Notes:

What is happening to the development of the land?

The West Cheltenham site was confirmed as a strategic allocation by the Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Joint Core Strategy for development for both employment (45 hectares of land) and housing (around 1,100 homes). Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Borough Councils are engaged in pre-application discussions with the landowners/agents regarding plans for the site.  An outline planning application is expected later in 2019.

What is being done with the £22m from the LEP?

The £22m was allocated to provide for improvements to the transport infrastructure along the A40 corridor in the West Cheltenham area, in order to provide sufficient future capacity in the system to support the opening up of the Cyber Park, to provide significant benefits to reduce congestion along the A40 corridor and to improve sustainable transport options.

How will the area cope with all the extra traffic once the site is fully developed?

In addition to the £22m provided by the LEP, Gloucestershire County Council , supported by Cheltenham and Tewkesbury borough councils, has submitted a significant bid to Homes England  for funding to upgrade junction 10 of the M5 to an ‘all-ways’ junction.  This bid includes a number of additional improvements to the local network, beyond just the upgrade to the motorway junction, in order that the local network is future proofed for all of the anticipated growth in the area out to around 2040.  Applications to develop the strategic allocation at West Cheltenham will be required to detail how transport implications arising from the development will be mitigated.  Measures for transport improvements will be agreed with Gloucestershire County Council and delivered through Section 106 obligations.