HBD, part of Henry Boot, has secured outline planning consent for the first phase of the landmark GBP1 billion (USD1.36 billion) Golden Valley scheme being delivered in partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, UK.

Golden Valley is a flagship innovation and technology project adjacent to GCHQ, the UK’s intelligence, security and cyber agency. The development will strengthen the UK’s leadership in cyber, AI, quantum technologies and secure communications, supporting national security, economic resilience and industry expansion. The scheme is an important public private partnership, having secured a GBP104 million (USD141 million) funding package, including GBP20 million (USD27.2 million) direct from the UK government, complemented by significant additional private sector investment.

The outline planning consent allows for a development comprising around 1 million sq ft of prime commercial space, including IDEA, the new 160,000sq ft National Cyber Innovation Centre referred to in the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy, as well as 576 residential units of various tenures, supporting Cheltenham’s housing needs.

The 200-hectare flagship regional regeneration project will eventually provide around 2,500 new homes, 1.25 million sq ft of commercial space with the National Cyber Innovation Centre at its heart, while supporting the creation of almost 12,000 jobs.