Plans submitted for £1bn Cheltenham Golden Valley Cyber site

The Golden Valley Development will create thousands of new homes as well as new business units

Developers have submitted plans for a £1bn cyber development which is billed as a major part of the UK's National Cyber Strategy.

HBD x Factory Ltd have asked Cheltenham Borough Council for permission to build the Golden Valley Development.

The development will be built on land next to GCHQ and aims to confirm Cheltenham as the UK's cyber capital.

Developers say it will play a "crucial role" in achieving the UK's ambition to be a Science and Tech Superpower.

Golden Valley, which spans 47 hectares (56,2115 sq yd) will comprise of 1 million sq ft (92,903 metres) of commercial space and over 1,000 low carbon homes to rent or buy, green open spaces and a new primary school.

The National Cyber Innovation Centre, which gained £95m funding approval last month, will be a centre for learning which various businesses, schools and universities can rent out for education and training purposes.

The campus will built on the existing specialist cluster in cyber and will focus on the emerging AI, Deep Tech and Future Computing/Quantum sectors.

The development will include an innovation centre, 1,000 new homes, a primary school and green space

Councillor Mike Collins, cabinet member for cyber, regeneration and commercial income at Cheltenham Borough Council said the planning submission is a "huge step" in the delivery for Golden Valley.

"Here in Cheltenham, we will be host to an internationally significant cyber and technology focussed campus which, subject to planning permission, will provide the catalyst for delivering economic growth for the town and regeneration of local communities," he said.

Separate detailed proposals for the National Cyber Innovation Centre will be submitted in the new year following last month's £5m funding agreement for the delivery of the landmark new building.

GCHQ's Paul Killworth, deputy chief scientific adviser for national security, said GCHQ supported Cheltenham Borough Council's vision of the Golden Valley Development.

"The opportunity offered by Golden Valley will lead to a sea-change in national security relations between government, academia and industry."