The Cheltenham Borough Council Planning Committee met on 21 August 2025, and unanimously approved applications for a bin store at Foster Court and drainage upgrades to Spring Bridge. Councillors also voted to grant listed building consent for replacement windows at 53 Pittville Lawn. The committee also discussed and made decisions on planning applications for a temporary servery at Pittville Pump Room, external wall insulation for flats on Grevil Road, Orchard Way and Arle Road, the conversion of a building on Hamilton Street into apartments, and a replacement stable block on Kidnappers Lane.

Here's a breakdown of the key discussions:

Pittville Pump Room Temporary Servery

The committee approved a temporary planning application (25/00380/FUL) for a food trailer/vehicle to be used as a servery at Pittville Pump Room, along with retention of existing toilet and storage facilities, and cladding for the toilet and storage block. The application was at planning committee because Cheltenham Borough Council is the landowner.

The Head of Planning, Chris Gomm, introduced the report.

The servery would be allowed on the land for a total of 24 months, spread across three periods ending in October 2028.

Concerns were raised about the impact on the setting of the Grade I listed Pump Room, the Grade II listed park and garden, and the conservation area. Cheltenham's senior conservation officer and Historic England considered the level of harm to be 'less than substantial'.

Despite these concerns, the public benefits of the café, including financial contributions to the Cheltenham Trust¹ and social benefits for residents and visitors, were deemed to outweigh the harm to heritage assets. Conditions were attached to the approval, limiting the time period for the consent, stipulating maximum sizes for the food trailer, restricting operating hours and delivery times, and requiring the cladding of ancillary buildings before the café opens.

External Wall Insulation to Flats on Grevil Road, Orchard Way and Arle Road

The committee approved application 25/01013/FUL for external wall insulation to be added to three blocks of flats on Grevil Road, Orchard Way and Arle Road. The application was at planning committee because Cheltenham Borough Council is the applicant and landowner.

The Head of Planning, Chris Gomm, introduced the report.

The existing external wall insulation would be replaced to ensure the properties meet current building regulations, improve thermal performance and allow for alternative colour finishes. The elevations would have brick slip detailing at ground floor level, and a smooth rendered finish to the upper floors.

The committee welcomed the sustainability aspects of the proposal, in line with the Cheltenham Climate Change SPD².

Hamilton Street, Charlton Kings - Change of Use

The committee approved application 25/00637/FUL for the change of use, refurbishment and alteration of the existing building at 11 Hamilton Street in Charlton Kings, to create 12 apartments. The application was before the planning committee due to an objection from the parish council, relating to the lack of parking provision.

The Head of Planning, Chris Gomm, introduced the report.

Councillor Barbara Clark declared a personal connection to the applicant and recused herself from the meeting during the item.

The building is located outside of, but adjacent to, the Cudnall Street conservation area, and in proximity to the London Inn, a grade II listed building.

An earlier application (24/01638/FUL) for the demolition of the existing buildings and the erection of 7 dwellings was withdrawn by the applicant prior to determination.

The planning officer, Michelle Payne, noted that the existing use now falls within Class E³ and is therefore not captured by CP policy EM2, so the principle of a change of use is acceptable. The Highways Development Management Team (HDM) initially raised concerns about car parking, but following discussions with the applicant and the submission of revised plans, no longer objected to the proposals. HDM accepted the car-free element of the development given the sustainable location of the site.

Conditions were attached to the approval, including a Construction Phase & Environmental Management Plan.

The Nurseries, Kidnappers Lane - Replacement Stable Block

The committee approved application 25/00848/FUL for the demolition and removal of existing stables, a barn and hardstanding, and erection of a new stable block with hardstanding at The Nurseries on Kidnappers Lane. The application was before the planning committee at the request of Councillor Martin Horwood, and the parish council, who considered that the development would be in breach of multiple local and national policies, most obviously Cheltenham Policy GI1 and emerging Neighbourhood Plan Policies LWH3 and LWH5.

The Head of Planning, Chris Gomm, introduced the report.

The planning officer, Michelle Payne, said that the proposed stable building would replace an existing structure and associated hardstanding, and would not harm the Local Green Space⁴, including its openness. The proposed building would adopt a smaller footprint, with a reduced eaves and ridge height, and be sited further eastwards to better align with the existing built form along this part of Kidnappers Lane.

A Biodiversity Gain Plan will need to be submitted prior to commencement.

Scout Head Quarters, Leckhampton Road - Replacement Scout Hut

The committee approved application 25/00788/FUL for the erection of a replacement Scout Hut at 207 Leckhampton Road, following the demolition of the existing building. The application was before the planning committee at the request of Councillor Martin Horwood for reasons cited by objectors, namely the proximity to neighbouring properties, the scale of the new building and the risk of overlooking and loss of privacy from the skylights.

The Head of Planning, Chris Gomm, introduced the report and gave a presentation.

The planning officer, Michelle Payne, said that the proposed replacement hut will be similarly located within the site, albeit adopt a larger, L-shaped, footprint. The long axis to the building will sit adjacent to the northern site boundary, with its shorter axis sitting adjacent to the western boundary.

The Highways Development Management team raised no objection.

Conditions were attached to the approval, including a Construction Method Statement, a soft Landscape Plan, and an Ecological Mitigation and Enhancement Strategy.

Appeal Update

The committee noted the Appeals Update report, which provided an overview of planning appeals received, being processed, and decided.