Plan for phase two of cyber park near GCHQ revealed

The second phase of the Golden Valley project has been unveiled

The second stage of a cyber security centre planned near GCHQ has been unveiled.

The Golden Valley development aims to confirm Cheltenham as the UK's cyber capital.

Property developer HBD and Cheltenham Borough Council unveiled the project's second phase, including the launch of the newly named "I/O Buildings", at a CyberUK conference event held earlier this month.

Councillor Rowena Hay, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said the CyberUK event offered the "perfect opportunity" to showcase phase two of the project.

The first phase of construction is the cyber park itself, which includes 1 million sq ft (93,000 sq metres) of commercial space, a car park and bus stops for services to Cheltenham Spa railway station.

Work could begin by October if Cheltenham Borough Council approves two key applications, which include feedback from public consultations, this summer.

The two I/O Buildings (INPUT and OUTPUT) are a key element within the second phase of Golden Valley and will provide space for leaders and innovators to work together, the Local Democracy Service reports.

INPUT is intended to foster collaboration between education, business and government, focusing on academia, skills and talent.

OUTPUT will seek to bring together industry peers to shape the future of technology.

The building will create space for quiet focus and provide state-of-the-art facilities for business.

The development will hope it strengthen the UK's leadership in cyber, AI and quantum technologies

Ed Hutchinson, managing director of HBD, said: "Work is due to begin on site later this year so it's great to be able to share new CGIs of the scheme, including the I/O Buildings within phase two, and bring the development to life."

Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden included Golden Valley within his keynote address at the CyberUK conference.

"We're already making some big investments, like the billion pounds going into the new state-of-the-art Golden Valley campus near GCHQ's Cheltenham office.

"That site alone is expected to create 12,000 jobs and be home to hospitality, retail businesses and 3,700 new homes. It's all growth."