The Planning Committee of Cheltenham Council met on Thursday 30 May 2024, approving several planning applications. Key decisions included the permission of a four-storey apartment development at 456 High Street, the variation of conditions for temporary structures at Imperial Gardens to allow the use of HVO fuel generators, and the approval of design changes for the St Peter's Playing Field community sports hub. The committee also approved variations to conditions for a residential development at 320 Swindon Road and granted approval for the reserved matters details for the Oakley Farm development, which will provide up to 250 dwellings.

456 High Street, Cheltenham

The committee granted planning permission for the redevelopment of 456 High Street to provide 18 apartments across two four-storey blocks, following the demolition of an existing commercial building. The decision was made subject to a unilateral undertaking towards mitigating adverse recreational impacts on the Cotswold Beechwoods Special Area of Conservation. Concerns were raised by objectors and ward councillors regarding the scale, height, and massing of the proposed development, its impact on the character and appearance of the Central Conservation Area, and potential highway safety issues due to the lack of on-site parking. The agent for the applicant argued that the site was a previously developed brownfield site in a sustainable town centre location, and that a viability appraisal demonstrated that providing affordable housing was not viable. The committee voted to permit the application by 5 votes to 3.

Imperial Gardens, Cheltenham

Permission was granted to vary Condition 5 of a previous planning permission for temporary structures at Imperial Gardens, allowing the use of a generator running exclusively on certified, sustainably sourced Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for the 2024-25 period. This will be part of a hybrid power setup alongside existing electrical infrastructure and a high-capacity mobile battery unit. The application was brought before the committee as the council was both the applicant and landowner. The principle of the proposal was accepted through the original consent, and the key issues for this application were the sustainability and neighbouring amenity impacts of the proposed amendment. Environmental Health raised no objection, subject to a condition requiring a noise survey and any necessary mitigation measures. The council's Climate Change Officer considered the proposed power supply a suitable interim solution while a national grid connection is secured. The ice rink was noted to be an important economic attraction for Cheltenham. The application was approved unanimously.

St Peter's Playing Field

The committee approved variations to conditions of a previously approved application for a community sports hub building at St Peter's Playing Field. The changes included alterations to the design of the building, removal of conditions related to material details, green roof, construction management plan, sustainable drainage, and contaminated land site survey. Councillor David Willingham, the ward councillor, spoke in support of the application, highlighting its importance for the regeneration of the St Peter's and the Moors area, which is recognised as a deprived area. He did, however, draw attention to an error in the officer report regarding the legislation for the public sector equality duty, noting it should be the Equality Act 2010. The application was approved unanimously.

320 Swindon Road

A Section 73 application to vary conditions of a previously approved application for 24 dwellings at 320 Swindon Road was permitted. The variations included changes to material specifications, elevation treatments, window designs, relocation of bin and air source heat pump stores, omission of green roofs on bin and bike stores, omission of sheds, paths and planters from rear gardens, amendments to balcony designs, and changes to boundary treatments. While some changes, such as the omission of green roofs and planters, were noted as regrettable, the overall scheme was considered acceptable in terms of site layout, design, impact on neighbouring amenity, and sustainability. The application was approved unanimously.

Oakley Farm, Priors Road

The committee approved the reserved matters application for the Oakley Farm development, which will provide up to 250 dwellings. This followed an earlier outline planning permission granted on appeal. The reserved matters application covered access, appearance, landscaping, layout, and scale. Significant discussion and revisions had taken place regarding road gradients and their conformity with Condition 13 of the outline permission. The approved scheme was considered a high-quality, landscape-led response to the site's topography and constraints. Concerns were raised by local residents and the Parish Council regarding traffic impacts on Harp Hill and surrounding roads, inadequate parking, and the visual impact of the development. The Highway Authority raised no objection, concluding that there would not be an unacceptable impact on highway safety or severe cumulative impacts on the road network. The application was approved unanimously.