Plans for £55m Cheltenham town centre redevelopment tipped for approval
Wavensmere Homes’ £55m plans for the redevelopment of the North Place car park in Cheltenham town centre have been recommended for approval.
The detailed designs for Arkle Court –submitted by Wavensmere and BBS Capital in February 2024 – propose 147 houses and apartments.
Designed by architects Glancy Nicholls, 75 three-bedroom townhouses are proposed, together with 72 one and two-bedroom apartments over a three/four storey block.
Extending to over 3.5-acres, the plans to redevelop the site include multiple areas of high landscaped open space. Vehicular, pedestrian and cycle access is from North Place, less than half a mile from the University of Gloucester campus and the historic town centre.
Ben Clarke, technical director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “We are delighted to see this allocated brownfield site recommended for approval, ahead of the planning committee meeting on 15th August. Our plans for Arkle Court will finally bring forward this long unloved eyesore and continue the renaissance of the wider St Paul’s area.
“After extensive work with the planning department and statutory consultees, amended plans were submitted earlier this summer to address feedback on heritage and conservation impact to the Grade II listed St Margaret’s Terrace. We have consequently reduced the scale and mass of the apartment block and introduced a range of finer architectural details found locally.
“This important regeneration project is set to showcase what can be achieved when the Borough Council and developers work together to unlock complicated schemes for the benefit of Cheltenham.”
In 2013, the council awarded planning for a large supermarket and 143 new homes for this site, which never materialised.
Nick Spencer, director, and co-founder at BBS Capital said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Wavensmere Homes on a landmark project which is set to deliver new investment and jobs, while creating highly sustainable homes on brownfield land.
“While the viability assessment for the site did not allow for 20% affordable housing to be delivered, as part of our negotiations with the local authority and in an effort to bring the site forward, we have made a commitment to provide 20% affordable housing on-site, along with a contribution of over £1m towards upgrades towards local education, libraries and the Chilterns Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation. In addition, a high proportion of the new homes will be aimed at first time buyers and young families, with attainable prices significantly below prime Cheltenham values.
“Earlier this year, the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre – another Wavensmere Homes and BBS Capital project – was the double winner in the conservation category at the Civic Society’s annual ‘A Brighter City of Derby’ Awards. The awards were presented in recognition of the painstaking restoration to two abandoned relics from the former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary (DRI) – illustrating our significant investment in placemaking and delivery.
“If the Arkle Court plans are given the green light, we will be able to deliver attainable, highly energy-efficient new homes for young professionals, families, and older people. We very much hope to be able to break ground with the redevelopment of North Place within the coming months.”
