CYBER
Cyber Central:The biggest development to Cheltenham since King George III took the Spa waters
It is set to be the biggest change to hit Cheltenham since pigeons were spotted pecking at a puddle in 1716 and the town became a destination for the rich and royalty. When King George III chose Cheltenham as a destination to take on the healing spa waters preferred by those pigeons, the town exploded from sleepy market town to tourist destination. Now, the town is set to be transformed again from a bustling borough to Cyber Central: The home of the UK’s cyber industry. The talk and vision of Cyber Central have been bubbling under the radar for years, but always with A fee of £37.5million has been spent on 45 hectares of what the authority have called “prime development land” close to the iconic GCHQ doughnut, that will be a home to Cyber Central. The council’s aim is for Cyber Central to be a world- leading community for cyber technology and form part of a wider 132 hectare ‘garden village’ development to the west of the town. Homes and facilities for the local population would be included in the wider development, making the Cyber Central project one that will transform the town. Councillor Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development at Cheltenham Borough Council said the "ambitious plan" would build on the town's a caveat that it was about to take off. And now it has, thanks to Cheltenham Borough Council deciding to make the biggest purchase in the authority’s history.
specialist expertise in cyber technology. He said: "Its aim is to fuel the growth of skills, jobs and local businesses, contributing to a healthy economy and supporting thriving communities in which to live and work. "This project is of huge local, regional and national significance, it's much more than just another business park. "That's why acquiring the land is seen as a critical step taken by the council in ensuring that, together with the support of our project partners, we get the very best from the development. "This is a key stage in an exciting story that will unfold over the months and years to come.” The two parcels of land acquired fall within the Cheltenham Borough Council boundaries, but the wider 132-hectare scheme as set out in the Joint Core Strategy crosses the border into Tewkesbury. The two councils are therefore working together to ensure that the scheme not only delivers Cyber Central, but some of the housing and improved infrastructure Gloucestershire needs. Mike Dawson, Chief Executive Officer at Tewkesbury Borough Council, added: "This an important joint project in Cheltenham and Tewkesbury Boroughs. "Together, the two councils are working closely to deliver this new and very exciting Garden Community at West Cheltenham. "It will provide fantastic cyber business and employment opportunities and an integrated, top quality smart living space for new homes to meet
www.evansjones.co.uk | 0800 001 4090 Chartered Town Planners Expert, Clear, No-Nonsense Advice
www.evansjone .co.uk | 0800 01 4 90 Charte ed Town Planners Expert, Clear, No-Nonsense Advice
98 | September 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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