The Cheltenham Borough Council Planning Committee met on Thursday 17 July 2025, approving three planning applications and one listed building consent application. The committee granted permission for a secure bin store at Foster Court, repairs to Spring Bridge, and the replacement of front steps at 53 Pittville Lawn. A significant outline planning application for land at West Cheltenham Southern Parcel, Fiddlers Green Lane, was also permitted subject to conditions and the completion of a Section 106 obligation.

Foster Court, Mendip Road

Permission was granted for the erection of a secure bin store at Foster Court, along with new internal access paths and screening planting. The application was brought before the committee as Cheltenham Borough Homes was the applicant. The proposed bin store, enclosed by a two-metre-high fence and lockable gate, will be partially screened by new planting. Councillors discussed the need for a lockable store, with officers noting it was part of the proposal to keep the area secure. Concerns were raised about the enlargement of an existing hard standing area, which will involve more concrete. While the nature of the occupants of Foster Court was unknown, officers confirmed they were content with the impact of the bin store. Councillors felt the proposal would be an improvement to the current situation and would prevent bins from being blown around. The application was unanimously approved.

Spring Bridge, London Road, Charlton Kings

Listed building consent was granted for the repair of the north headwall and wing walls of Spring Bridge, a Grade II listed structure on the A40 in Charlton Kings. The bridge had partially collapsed in May 2024, leading to the closure of one lane of the A40. The proposal involves excavating the road, constructing a new retaining wall faced with heritage brickwork, and backfilling the excavation. Councillors noted that the work was urgent and necessary to secure the future of the listed building. Concerns were raised about potential traffic disruption due to the A40 closure, but officers stated that conditioning the timing of the works was outside the scope of a listed building application. The application was unanimously approved.

53 Pittville Lawn, Cheltenham

Listed building consent was granted for the replacement of damaged front steps at 53 Pittville Lawn. The property is a Grade II listed building within the Pittville character area of the central conservation area. The proposal is for a like-for-like replacement using Forest of Dean Pennant sandstone, with existing railings and a historic boot scraper to be dismantled and reinstated. The condition of the existing steps was considered to justify their replacement. The application was approved with nine votes in favour, none against, and no abstentions.

Land at West Cheltenham Southern Parcel, Fiddlers Green Lane

The committee debated and ultimately permitted an outline planning application for a significant development on land at West Cheltenham Southern Parcel, Fiddlers Green Lane. The application, which has been with the local planning authority for nearly two years, includes housing provision and a nationally important innovation centre aimed at fostering cyber security innovation.

Key discussions revolved around infrastructure, particularly the M5 Junction 10 (J10) development, which was noted to have a significant funding shortfall. Concerns were raised about the prematurity of the application given the uncertainty surrounding J10 funding. However, officers presented a balanced approach, highlighting that the scheme would still yield considerable Section 106 contributions towards J10 and that provisions were in place to mitigate potential harm.

The lack of a GP surgery on-site was discussed, with officers confirming that the allocation as a whole provided for a GP surgery and that developers were in agreement on this. The applicant's representative emphasised the project's potential to secure GCHQ's presence in Cheltenham for another 50 years, create high-skilled jobs, and attract new businesses.

Affordable housing was a significant point of debate, with one member expressing concern that the proposed level did not meet the 35% target. However, other members argued that the development would still provide affordable housing and that the focus should be on economic benefits and national security.

The application was permitted subject to conditions, including the completion of a Section 106 obligation, with delegated authority given to the Head of Planning to negotiate the final terms. In the event that the S106 agreement remained unsigned after nine months, the application would be reviewed, with the potential for refusal if no progress was made. The decision was made with nine votes in favour and one against.