The Cheltenham Borough Council Planning Committee met on Thursday 19 February 2026. The committee granted planning permission for a development of 70 affordable homes on land off Shelley Road and for works at Hatherley Park. The committee also received an update on planning appeals.

Land Off Shelley Road, Cheltenham

The committee granted planning permission for the development of 70 affordable homes on land off Shelley Road, comprising 49 homes for social rent and 21 for shared ownership. The decision was made subject to a Section 106 legal agreement.

During the discussion, concerns were raised by residents regarding increased traffic, noise pollution, and the impact on local amenities. However, the officer's report highlighted that the council is currently unable to demonstrate a five-year supply of deliverable housing sites, engaging a tilted balance in favour of granting permission, particularly for affordable housing. The development was praised for its high-quality design, the provision of public open space, and sustainable features such as air source heat pumps and solar PV arrays. Despite requests for financial contributions towards education and off-site play provision, the applicant's financial viability assessment indicated that these could not be viably delivered.

The committee heard from Carol Curtis, representing the applicants, who emphasised the community engagement undertaken and the scheme's contribution to addressing the acute local need for affordable housing. Councillors debated the parking provision, the archaeological significance of the site, and the potential impact on a nearby care home. Ultimately, the committee voted unanimously in favour of granting planning permission.

Hatherley Park, Hatherley Court Road

Permission was granted for works at Hatherley Park, involving the removal of silt from the main lake and its redistribution within the park to enhance amenity grassland and improve sustainable drainage. A portion of the silt will also be used to backfill stone revetment retaining walls around the lake edge, which will then be planted with aquatic marginal species.

The proposal was supported by local residents and the Cheltenham Civic Society, who noted the benefits for the lake's biodiversity, water quality, and the park's overall drainage. The council's Ecologist confirmed that the works would enhance the lake and surrounding areas for wildlife, and the project was deemed exempt from mandatory Biodiversity Net Gain requirements due to the temporary nature of the habitat impacts and the planned restoration. The council's Drainage Officer raised no objections, noting that the works would not increase flood risk elsewhere and would offer improvements to flood risk management within the park. Conditions were attached to ensure the development adheres to the approved Construction Method Statement and Management Plan, and to safeguard ecological species and existing trees.

Appeal Update

The committee received an update on planning appeals. This included a list of appeals received, appeals being processed, and appeals that had been decided since the previous meeting. Notable decisions included the allowance of an appeal for a care home development at Adey Innovation Ltd, Gloucester Road, and the dismissal of an appeal concerning telecommunications masts.