Housebuilder looking to develop key site in Cheltenham

A housebuilder has been confirmed as the development partner for a prime brownfield site on the edge of Cheltenham town centre.

Wavensmere Homes will be looking to deliver a proposed landmark mixed-tenure residential development at the site.

The land at North Place extends to 13,400 sq m and is currently being used as a car park was originally purchased by BBS Capital.

Wavensmere Homes has bought into the scheme, continuing a successful joint venture relationship between the two firms, which started with the £175m Nightingale Quarter in Derby city centre.

Pre-application discussions have taken place with Cheltenham Borough Council to deliver in the region of 150 EPC-A rated new homes.

Glancy Nicholls Architects has been appointed to design a scheme and a planning application made up of of one- and two-bedroom apartments, three-bedroom townhouses is likely to be submitted in the autumn.

James Dickens, managing director of Wavensmere Homes, said: “The acquisition of this prime site in central Cheltenham could deliver 150 highly sustainable new homes and transform a blot on the landscape in the process.

“This site has been considered for development for over a decade, with various parties not being able to bring it forward successfully.

“We are proud to be working alongside BBS Capital to propose a scheme to the Council that overcomes the complexities and will greatly enhance the street scene along North Place and St Margaret’s Road.

“Our plans for the scheme include both apartments and townhouses, as we want to offer young professionals, families, and older people, appropriate and attainable new homes that enable them to significantly lower their carbon footprint. We are continuing to work alongside all stakeholders and look forward to submitting a full planning application.”

Plans for the four-storey apartment building – to front St Margaret’s Road – are designed to be in keeping with the principles of Cheltenham’s Central Conservation Area.

Consultation with locals has determined a render and brick material palette as being most suitable for the enhancement of the street scene.

Nick Spencer, director and co-founder at BBS Capital said: “We are delighted to once again be working with Wavensmere Homes.

“This site is positioned within a highly desirable area of Cheltenham, where the rich historical context has shaped the design ethos. Located very close to the range of quality restaurants and shops at The Brewery Quarter the homes being proposed here will be in very high demand. Subject to planning, this multi-million-pound residential project is set to deliver new investment and jobs, while creating highly sustainable homes on brownfield land.”

Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council added: ‘’The proposals for the redevelopment of North Place – providing much needed, attainable homes for professionals, families and older people in an area people want to live and work in – is a shining example of what can be achieved when the borough council and developers work together to realise their ambitions and create something really special for the benefit of Cheltenham.

“The proposed development at this central, brownfield site is important as it connects key areas of the town together, including Pittville Park on the one side, through North Place, to the thriving Brewery Quarter, the lower high street Poundland site which will see a mixed-use redevelopment, through to the state-of-the-art MX workspace and Minster Gardens. Good connectivity cuts down on travel times, increases opportunities and health and wellbeing, reduces isolation and is crucial for the economy.

“The development will of course have the environment in mind, ensuring the build is sensitive to its surroundings, has rich green spaces to encourage biodiversity and uses modern methods of construction and low carbon materials.’’

The North Place scheme is being designed as a new residential square, with a centralised community green.