Content

To agree a Local Lettings Plan (LLP) to cover
first lets and all subsequent lets of all 65 social
rented properties within the Regents Village Development (Phase 1
Elms Park Strategic
Allocation), for an initial 12-month period (until 24th February
2026), to be reviewed by
Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) officers in December 2025 to
determine whether an
extension or amendment to the LLP is required.

Reasons for the decision

This decision gives CBC the authority to
introduce, enforce and monitor a Local Lettings Plan
which covers all 65 social rented properties within the Regents
Village (Elms Park)
development. This decision has been taken to ensure that, in line
with the latest Homeseeker
Plus policy, the Council can support the creation of cohesive,
sustainable and balanced
communities on this development that contributes towards meeting
the Borough's housing
needs. This is especially important on this scheme, as the Regents
Village development
represents the first phase of the larger North West Cheltenham
strategic allocation- which, if
granted, could deliver approximately 4,100 homes, of which
approximately 1,400 are designated
as affordable housing. It is therefore imperative that the Council
uses a Local Lettings Plan to
help create resilient and welcoming communities on this scheme,
which will act as a foundation
upon which wider communities on the North West Cheltenham Strategic
Allocation may be
formed in the future.
Implementing this local lettings plan will therefore support
community cohesion and resident
wellbeing and meet the Council's key objective, outlined within the
2023-2028 Housing,
1Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy, namely- `investing in
our communities to make
them stronger and healthier'. Additionally, introducing a local
lettings plan on the Regents
Village Development will also meet one of the crucial sections of
Key Priority 3 within the
Cheltenham 2023-2027 Corporate Plan, namely `supporting and
enabling resilient communities'
and improving `tenant, resident and community outcomes'.
Please note this Local Lettings Plan will be reviewed by key
officers from Cheltenham Borough
Council in December 2025 following Officer sign-off to determine
whether an extension to or
amendment of the Local Lettings Plan is appropriate. If, for any
reason, the Local Lettings Plan
is not functioning as intended, the Council will have the ability
to review the Local Lettings Plan,
within 12 months of the approved officer decision date. This Local
Lettings Plan will
automatically expire on 24th February 2026 in the event that
relevant Cheltenham Borough
Council officers do not seek a review or extension of this Local
Lettings Plan during December 2025.

Alternative options considered

An alternative option considered was not
proceeding with setting up a Local Lettings Plan.
However, given the importance of this site in establishing strong,
sustainable communities,
especially when framed in the wider context of the North West
Cheltenham (Elms Park)
strategic allocation, this option has been rejected.